This post was provided by Father Desmond Drummer

excerpt from

Meditation on Mark 4:35-41 

by Pope Francis

On Friday, March 27, Pope Francis offered a special "Urbi et orbi" (to the city and world) message and blessing. After the text of Mark 4:35-41 was chanted by a cantor, Pope Francis delivered a sublime meditation on the Gospel text in the light of what communities around the world are experiencing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The full text of the meditation is available on the Vatican's news media website. An excerpt of the pope's meditation is provided below:

"In the face of so much suffering, where the authentic development of our peoples is assessed, we experience the priestly prayer of Jesus: 'That they may all be one' (John 17:21). How many people every day are exercising patience and offering hope, taking care to sow not panic but a shared responsibility. How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small everyday gestures, how to face up to and navigate a crisis by adjusting their routines, lifting their gaze and fostering prayer. How many are praying, offering and interceding for the good of all. Prayer and quiet service: these are our victorious weapons."

Full video with English language translation and commentary: