VIENNA, Austria, SEPT. 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says that human societies need volunteers.
The Pope said this Sunday, as he closed his seventh international pastoral trip, in a meeting with Austrian volunteers in the Konzerthaus, Vienna's renowned concert hall.
The Holy Father delivered a discourse after an address from Austrian President Heinz Fischer.
"Love of neighbor is not something that can be delegated," the Pontiff said. "The state and the political order, properly concerned with the relief of the needy and the provision of social services, cannot take its place," the Pontiff said. "Love of neighbor always demands a voluntary personal commitment, and the state, of course, should provide the conditions which make this possible.
"Thanks to such involvement, assistance maintains a human dimension and does not become depersonalized. Volunteers like yourselves, then, are not 'stopgaps' in the social fabric, but people who truly contribute to giving our society a humane and Christian face."
The event with the volunteers included an address from youth who donate their time. Archbishop Alois Kothgasser of Salzburg also spoke. He told the Pope that in Austria, some 17 million hours of work are donated each year, with an estimated value of €3.5 million ($4.8 million).
Jesus' eyes
The Pope invited the young people to learn to see the world and their fellow human beings with the eyes of Jesus.
"There are people who see, but pretend not to see, who are faced with human needs yet remain indifferent. This is part of the coldness of our present time," the Holy Father said. "In the gaze of others, and particularly of the person who needs our help, we experience the concrete demands of Christian love.
"Jesus Christ does not teach us a spirituality 'of closed eyes,' but one of 'alertness,' one which entails an absolute duty to take notice of the needs of others and of situations involving those whom the Gospel tells us are our neighbors.
"The gaze of Jesus, what 'his eyes' teach us, leads to human closeness, solidarity, giving time, sharing our gifts and even our material goods."
Benedict XVI affirmed that the aid offered by the Church is not merely material.
He explained: "For this reason, those who work for the Church’s charitable organizations must be distinguished by the fact that they do not merely meet the needs of the moment, but they dedicate themselves to others with heartfelt concern. … This heart sees where love is needed, and acts accordingly.
"Yes, I have to become like someone in love, someone whose heart is open to being shaken up by another’s need. Then I find my neighbor or -- better -- then I am found by him."
During the event, the Holy Father was offered an interpretation by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra of Mozart's arias and pieces from Anton Bruckner.
ZE07091009 - 2007-09-10