CNS STORY: Faith in God gives full meaning to life, pope says at Angelus

POPE-ANGELUS Aug-6-2012 (230 words) With photos. xxxi

Faith in God gives full meaning to life, pope says at Angelus

By Catholic News Service

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- While people obviously need to provide for their families and even make sure they get some rest and relaxation, the Gospel teaches that it's even more crucial to strengthen one's relationship with God, Pope Benedict XVI said.

"Jesus wants to help people go beyond the immediate satisfaction of their material needs, important as they are," he said Aug. 5, commenting on the Sunday Gospel reading during his midday Angelus address.

Jesus' mission is to open people's eyes to the possibility of an "existence that is not simply that of the daily worries" about what to eat, what to wear and how to advance in their careers, he said.

"The center of existence, that which gives full meaning and solid hope to the often difficult journey (of life) is faith in Christ, an encounter with Christ," the pope told a crowd gathered in the courtyard of his summer villa for the recitation of the Marian prayer.

"On days filled with activities and problems, but even on days of rest and relaxation, the Lord asks us not to forget that while it's necessary to provide for material bread and restore our energy, even more fundamental is the need to deepen our relationship with him, reinforce our faith in the one who is the 'bread of life,' who fulfills our desire for truth and love," the pope said.

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