VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI at the Angelus recalls the testimony of countless Christians “who dedicate their lives to serving others out of love for the Lord Jesus, operating as servants of love and therefore "artisans" of peace. Some are asked to give the supreme witness of blood, as it happened a few days ago for Sr Leonella Sgorbati”

Castel Gandolfo (Agenzia Fides) - In his midday reflection on Sunday 24 September before leading the recitation of the Angelus with visitors gathered in the courtyard of his Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI dwelt on the Sunday readings recalling that when Jesus announces for the second time his passion, death and resurrection to his disciples and they fail to understand he patiently explains “his logic, the logic of love which becomes service to the point of gift of self: ‘'If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all. (Mk 9,35)”.
The Pope said that this teaching of Jesus is “the logic of Christianity which corresponds to the truth of man created in the image of God but at the same time it is in contrast to human selfishness, consequence of original sin. Every human person is attracted by love - which ultimately is God himself - but often loves in the wrong way and so from an originally positive tendency, defiled by sin, can come bad intentions and actions”.
The Pope recalled “the testimony of countless Christians who dedicate their lives in humility and silence to the service of others for the Lord Jesus, operating concretely as servants of love and therefore "artisans" peace. Some are asked to give the supreme witness of blood as it happened a few days ago to the Italian missionary Sr Leonella Sgorbati, killed by violence. This Sister who had served poor and forgotten people in Somalia for years, died while saying ‘I forgive’: this is the most authentic Christian witness, peaceful sign of contradiction which demonstrates the victory of love over hatred and evil.”
After recalling that “it is difficult to follow Jesus but, as He says, only those who lose their life for His sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it” (cfr Mk 8,35)” the Holy Father said “there is no other way to be His disciples, no other way to bear witness to his love and strive for evangelical perfection.” The Pope concluded by invoking the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that Christians may open their hearts to ... “the love of God, mystery of joy and holiness”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 25/9/2006 - righe 25, parole 361)