July 29: Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Who They Were and What They Teach Us as Christians

Every July 29, the Church commemorates Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, three siblings from Bethany who held a very special place in Jesus’ life. The Gospels show that the Lord not only visited their home on occasion, but returned there time and again. There he found rest, friendship, conversation, and a family atmosphere where he was welcomed with affection.

It is no coincidence that the Pope Francis decided in 2021 to extend this liturgical celebration to all three brothers. The house in Bethany represents one of the most beautiful aspects of the Gospel: that of a family that makes room for Christ in its daily life.

For the CARF Foundation, contemplating Martha, Mary, and Lazarus It means looking to the source of many vocations. Wherever Christ finds an open home, faith, the desire to serve, and the willingness to follow God’s call also flourish.

El papa Francisco se dirige a la Plenaria de la Congregación para el Culto

Who were Martha, Mary, and Lazarus?

The three brothers lived in Bethany, a small town located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, very close to Jerusalem. Their home is mentioned several times in the Gospels as one of the places where Jesus was welcomed with trust.

The Evangelist San Juan He sums up this relationship with an extraordinary phrase:

«Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus» (John 11:5).

Few people are described so explicitly in the Gospel. They were not merely disciples among many others. They were friends of the Lord.

Each of them has a distinct personality: Martha comes across as an active, generous, and helpful woman. Mary stands out for her ability to listen to Jesus and remain at his feet. Lazarus, for his part, plays a central role in one of the most impressive miracles recounted in the Gospel: his resurrection.

Together, they paint a very complete picture of Christian life: service, prayer, and absolute trust in God.

Santa Marta, María y Lázaro

Why does the Church celebrate all three brothers together?

For centuries, the General Roman Calendar commemorated only Saint Martha on July 29.

However, on January 26, 2021, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, at the request of Pope Francis, decreed that the liturgical commemoration should also include Mary and Lazarus.

The decree explains that the three brothers offer a unique witness to their friendship with Christ and recalls that: "At the home in Bethany, the Lord Jesus experienced a warm, family-like atmosphere and friendship."

The decision highlights that the holiness It is not always lived out individually. Often it flourishes within a family where each member responds to God through their own vocation.

This message is particularly relevant today. In a society marked by individualism, Betania reminds us that faith also grows within the community, within the family, and through small, everyday gestures.

Faith is opening the doors to Christ, to welcome him into their own home, to share a meal with him, to let him into the very depths of their souls. That is what the family in Bethany—Martha, Mary, and Lazarus—did

Marta: Serve with joy and peace

One of the best-known passages appears in the Gospel of Saint Luke.

While Mary sits listening to Jesus, Martha busies herself preparing everything needed to welcome the Teacher.

At one point, she expresses her weariness: «Lord, don’t you mind that my sister leaves me to do all the work by myself?»

Jesus’ response has often been interpreted as pitting action against contemplation. However, Church tradition and the meditations published by Opus Dei remind us that Christ does not criticize Martha’s work.

What it corrects is the restlessness that causes you to lose your composure.

Marta loves the Lord deeply and wants to offer Him the very best. Her service springs from her love for Him, but she needs to learn that her actions only find their full meaning when they flow from her encounter with God.

This teaching remains highly relevant today.

Many Christians are consumed by work, family responsibilities, or daily worries. Martha reminds us that any task can become a form of prayer when it is done out of love and with inner peace.

Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things, but in performing ordinary tasks with love.

María: Learning to Listen Before Acting

If Martha represents service, Mary symbolizes listening.

The Gospel depicts her sitting at Jesus’ feet, a posture typical of a disciple who wishes to learn from her Teacher. Christ then states that Maria has chosen «the best part.».

Not because the work is unimportant, but because every Christian mission begins first with listening. Before proclaiming the Gospel, we must allow the Gospel to transform our hearts. Before teaching, we must learn.

This teaching is especially important for those who feel a calling to serving the Church.

At the CARF Foundation, we are well aware of this reality. The spiritual, personal, intellectual, and pastoral formation of the future priests It begins, in fact, by cultivating a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.

Lazarus: Trusting Even When It Seems Too Late

The course of the disease and resurrection The story of Lazarus is one of the highlights of the Gospel of St. John.

When Jesus receives the news that his friend is seriously ill, he does not set out immediately for Bethany.

From a human perspective, He seems to have arrived too late, and Lazarus has already died. Martha goes out to meet Him with words that are at once full of faith and sorrow: «Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.» Despite her suffering, Martha continues to trust in Him. Then Jesus utters one of the Gospel’s greatest declarations: «I am the resurrection and the life.»

The subsequent resurrection of Lazarus foreshadows Christ’s ultimate victory over death. But it also teaches another lesson: God never ceases to act, even when we think all is lost. How many times have we experienced similar situations?

Family problems, personal crises, illness, a lack of hope... Lazarus reminds us that despair never has the last word. It always belongs to God.

Resurrección de Lázaro, José de Ribera
The Raising of Lazarus, José de Ribera

Bethany: A Home Open to the Lord

Rather than focusing on each of the three siblings individually, it is better to consider them as a family. What is truly extraordinary about Bethany is not just the generosity of Martha, Mary, or Lazarus after Lazarus was raised from the dead. What makes this home special is that Jesus always finds its doors open to him.

The Gospels portray Bethany as a home where Christ is welcomed with simplicity and friendship. Its inhabitants are not known for performing great deeds or delivering memorable speeches; they simply allow the Lord to be a part of their daily lives. That is precisely why this home continues to serve as a model for all the families Christian.

What Families Are Taught Today

The liturgical commemoration of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus does not belong solely to the past. Their example continues to offer very concrete answers to the challenges of our time. They remind us that service is never a waste of time when it springs from love, that prayer is not a privilege reserved for a select few but the source of all Christian life, and that trust in God can remain steadfast even in the midst of suffering.

Their story also shows that friendship with Jesus can transform an ordinary home into a holy place. In that atmosphere of faith lived out with simplicity, the family remains the primary setting where the Gospel is passed on and where new generations learn to discover God’s presence in everyday life.

That is why, as we reflect on the witness of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, it is also a cause for gratitude to think of so many anonymous families who, through their daily example, continue to make it possible for the Gospel to reach new generations and for the Church to continue receiving new vocations in the service of God and others.

Opening the door of our home and our hearts to Christ every day transforms family life from within. Wherever He is welcomed with joy, Faith is strengthened, generous vocations are born, and the Church finds the support it needs to continue proclaiming the Gospel to the world.

Leer el evangelio

Building from the Heart of Cities: The Proposals of Leon XIV in Spain

Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to Spain in June 2026 was not merely a diplomatic or liturgical event, but a call for profound renewal within the Church and civil society. 

Under the slogan «Look up!», he called on educators to be «new threads for weaving new networks» in the art of social dialogue, which involves encounter and listening, dialogue and respect. In the words of Benedict XVI, has pointed out that «faith is love, and that is why it creates poetry and music. Faith is joy, and that is why it creates beauty» (Catechesis May 21, 2008). And León XIV has wondered whether Europe could be itself without the influence of faith. 

It is precisely in his address to the authorities that Leo XIV reveals to Europe—through its great history of mediation among languages, religions, and forms of knowledge, and of uniting historical action with the clarity of moral reason—the calling to «appreciate complexity and study it» with a vision for the future. This task involves overcoming polarization through discernment, «learning to move forward alongside others, to grow together,» rejecting ghosts, enemies, and prejudices, as well as naive enthusiasm and fruitless fears, and fostering critical thinking and the pursuit of the common good.

Spain’s contribution is framed in reference to the saints who have cultivated a «mysticism with open eyes»: St. John of the Cross, with his journey from the dark nights to the light; Saint Teresa of Ávila, following the path of the «inner castle» toward the heart itself, to discover how the universe becomes a home; St. Ignatius of Loyola, with his emphasis on discernment. Even today, eternity can permeate daily life, uniting, in the pursuit of holiness, the prayer and social responsibility. 

In the capital, Louis XIV addressed Parliament as a servant of the human person and a defender of human dignity. He recalled that a just society is measured by its ability to protect life in its most fragile state: «from conception to its natural end.» He warned that the law loses its meaning if it becomes a commodity or if it ignores those who lack the strength to make their voices heard. He defended the family and the freedom to choose the type of education for their children. 

In the ecclesial sphere, the Pope described the gathering at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as a «great goal scored by the Church of Madrid.» There, he presented one of his central theological themes: the Church as a «family that learns the art of polyphony,» where unity is not uniformity, but rather a harmony that values the diversity of charisms and the relationships among «real, flesh-and-blood people.» He praised the volunteers for embodying the «leaven of selflessness.» In a society tempted by profit, Leo XIV defended selfless dedication as the hallmark of the «City of God» that must permeate public life.

The Catalan phase focused on beauty as a means of evangelization. In the basilica of the Sagrada Familia, Pope Leo XIV described Gaudí’s temple as a «work in progress» that symbolizes the Christian life itself: an unfinished project that requires the cooperation of everyone as «living stones.» He affirmed that art and beauty are «eminent channels of evangelization» in this age of the image.

At the Abbey of Montserrat, the message turned toward inner reconciliation. As he contemplated the Virgin and Child, Leo XIV urged the faithful to «lay aside the armor» of judgment, criticism, and aggression. He proposed the «unarmed and disarming power of love» as the only force capable of healing the wounds caused by injustice and division. 

The highlight of the trip, given its prophetic significance, was the visit to the Canary Islands. At the heart of migratory routes, Pope Leo XIV described the archipelago as a «place where the Risen One reveals Himself» through hospitality. He was unequivocal in affirming that «no human being is an island» and that the secret of the heart lies in the call to encounter.

In light of the tragedy of the small boats, Peter’s successor, Leo XIV, strongly condemned those who «speculate on despair» and turn the suffering of others into a business, warning them that they will have to answer to divine justice. To the migrants, he assured them: «Your life is not to be discarded; your dignity has not been washed away by the waters.».

A great lesson from the Canary Islands for the universal Church was the invitation to allow oneself to be evangelized by the little ones and the poor. The Pope asked Catholics to view integration not merely as a social task, but as a spiritual encounter in which one recognizes the «mysterious wisdom of God written in the flesh» of those who suffer.

Throughout his visit, Leo XIV showed a special fondness for the forgotten. Speaking to inmates at Brians 1 Prison (Barcelona) and later in his messages, he insisted that «life’s mistakes do not define one’s identity,» and that the past should not condemn the future. In hospitals and among the elderly, he proposed something akin to a “teaching on fragility,” in which old age and illness remind us of our mutual dependence and our need for God. 

As he bid farewell at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and referring to the heart of Christ—which is the heart of the Gospel—Leo XIV called on everyone to open themselves to «this sea of love.» He repeated the motto «Lift up your eyes!»—pointing precisely to the Crucified One, who is the source of forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace.

The Pope's Visit Leo XIV He encourages young people to always seek the truth, rejecting other paths: «If it leads you away from God, it is not the truth!» He challenges them to be agents of social change as «the spark of a new humanity,» capable of changing history through love. 

Ramiro Pellitero, Professor Emeritus at the School of Theology at the University of Navarra.

Published in "Religión Confidencial," June 17, 2026. Another version of this text was published under the title "Learning to Move Forward and Grow Together" in "Omnes,", omnesmag.com, July 1, 2026

Look Up

Last June, that invitation traveled through three Spanish cities, centered on three themes: beauty, hospitality, and unity. In Barcelona, the beauty of the Sagrada Familia—which Gaudí built as a prayer in stone—showed that beauty is yet another path to God. In the Canary Islands, hospitality was directed toward the most vulnerable among us, seeking Christ in the eyes and hands of others. In Madrid, unity was presented as a sign of communion and a catalyst for a reconciled world. Three cities, three gestures, a single movement: look up.

Pope Leo XIV called on us to rise up. Saint Josemaría had shown us, nearly a hundred years earlier, where to look. And the Risen Christ, high on the Cross and from the tabernacle, continued to draw everything to Himself.

The Spiritual Legacy of Leo XIV's Journey

The call from Leo XIV The goal of forming individuals capable of engaging in dialogue, exercising discernment, and serving the common good resonates deeply with the mission of the CARF Foundation. For decades, this institution has promoted the formation of priests, seminarians, and religious from around the world through scholarships at the University of Navarra and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome).

The goal is for them to return to their dioceses with a solid human, intellectual, and spiritual foundation to respond to the pastoral challenges in their countries. In a context marked by polarization and the search for role models, the formation of those called to serve the Church constitutes a concrete contribution to the culture of encounter, dialogue, and the promotion of the dignity of every person—values that Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly emphasized during his apostolic visit to Spain.

León XIV: An Ode to Families

Faced with a Parliament that promotes destruction and distorts the truth about the family, advancing laws contrary to what Natural Law considers a family—a man and a woman, united until death, and open to life— Leo XIV, during his visit to Spain, made an explicit and very clear reference to the family willed by God when He created man and woman.

The Family, the Natural Foundation of Society and the Common Good

Leo XIV spoke of the family as the foundation of all civil society and as the leaven for the emergence of a nation. In short, the family is the true foundation of all human coexistence on earth (the phrases in italics are from his address to Parliament). 

After emphasizing that: «The common good is, in a certain sense, «the social form of human dignity» (cf. *Magnifica humanitas*, 59). It does not consist in the mere sum of particular interests, but rather in the «set of conditions of social life that enable associations and each of their members to achieve their own perfection more fully and more easily» (Gaudium et spes, 26), writes:  

«In this context, the family—the primary human reality and the natural foundation of the community—is of particular importance.».

A society in which families are falling apart; spouses have laws allowing them to formalize a breakup at any time; marriages are not open to life; parents neglect their children’s human, moral, and religious education; and same-sex unions are recognized as «legal marriages,» etc.—is a society headed for death and extinction.

Familia unida viendo el atardecer

León XIV Emphasizes the Irreplaceable Role of the Family in Building Nations

Speaking to families and reminding them that Jesus continues to pray to the Father for families, Leo XIV wrote a year ago: «That prayer of the Lord gives full meaning to the luminous moments of our mutual love as parents, grandparents, sons, and daughters. And this is what we want to proclaim to the world: we are here to be «one» just as the Lord wants us to be «one»—in our families and in the places where we live, work, and study: different, yet one; many, yet one; always one, in every circumstance and at every stage of life.».

«Brothers and sisters, if we love one another in this way, on the foundation of Christ, who is the "Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end" (cf. Rev 22:13), we will be a sign of peace for everyone, in society and in the world. We must not forget: the future of nations is born within families» (June 1, 2025),

"»In the home, generations intertwine, and a living memory is passed down, giving continuity to society.". Human beings are meant to live for many years; this means they become part of a story that they do not build from scratch, but into which they are immersed from childhood. Everything learned through family life serves as nourishment that enables every man and every woman to find their place in the world in which they are to live.

Who doesn't remember the deep joy of a grandmother as she took part in the Baptism of his first great-great-grandchild? If governments enact laws that seek to destroy the family, political power ceases to be about «service» and «seeking the common good,» and instead becomes a tyrannical dictatorship, an “abomination of abominations.”. «Where the family is supported, the spiritual and social stability of nations is also strengthened.».

El Congreso recibe al Papa León XIV
Congress Hears from Pope Leo XIV | Europa Press.

Governments must learn to use all the resources at their disposal in the best possible way, with the «common good» of all people in mind, and that «common good» necessarily involves helping families with whatever they may need: housing, employment, medical care, etc.

If there is peace in families, there will be peace throughout society. If families pray together, society will pray together—in parishes, religious brotherhoods, and processions—and we will all walk in union with Jesus Christ and His Most Holy Mother. How joyful I have felt on more than a few occasions when entering a home to bless it, seeing a crucifix in every room, and a picture of the Blessed Virgin in the family’s gathering place—She who is the Queen of Families!

The Christian Family: The First School of Coexistence, Love, and Service

«The family will always be the first school of humanity, where—before anywhere else—we learn the basic principles of living together: welcoming new life, caring for others, forgiving, serving, and belonging.».

By forgiving us for the mistakes we may make, our parents are teaching us a lesson in love and understanding—one that helps us learn to forgive, to ask for forgiveness; in short, to live in harmony with everyone around us. We learn to serve others and not to become trapped within ourselves, endlessly dwelling on what might hurt us in the actions of others. In a truly Christian family, selfishness and individualism simply fade away.

Madre y bebé, educación en la familia cristiana

And it’s not just about asking for forgiveness and forgiving; in families, we learn to care for others—parents, siblings, close and distant relatives—by reaching out to meet their needs. We put an end to all selfishness and learn to serve by loving our parents, our siblings, and our relatives: their triumphs are our triumphs; their sorrows and pains are our sorrows and pains; their joys are our joys.

The family is the cradle of new life. Older brothers welcome those who come after them with open hearts; older sisters joyfully shoulder the spirit and burden of motherhood that a mother—especially in families with six, seven, eight, nine… children—does not always have the strength to bear.

The right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their beliefs

And finally, remember «the fundamental and inalienable right» of parents to «choose the type of education and training their children receive, in accordance with their own moral, cultural, and religious convictions.».

Ernesto Juliá, (ernesto.julia@gmail.com) | Previously published in Religion Confidential.

The Unicaja Foundation Renews Its Commitment to the Training of Seminarians and Priests

At the CARF Foundation, we are very grateful to Unicaja Foundation, as yet another academic year contributes to our mission of supporting the Comprehensive formation of seminarians and diocesan priests from countries with fewer resources.

Thanks to this partnership, young men with a vocation to the priesthood and priests who need to further their training will be able to continue their academic, personal, spiritual, and pastoral formation at the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra and at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. 

An educational program that transforms people and communities

The support provided by the Unicaja Foundation benefits more than just those who receive this educational opportunity. Every seminarian and priest who completes his training returns to his diocese to put his knowledge to work in the service of the Church and the people in his community.

It is an investment in the future of thousands of the faithful who, thanks to better-trained priests, will be able to receive higher-quality pastoral, human, and spiritual care. A chain of generosity that multiplies its fruits where they are needed most. 

Colaboración de Fundación Unicaja con Fundación CARF

The CARF Foundation's Commitment to Vocations

For more than 35 years, CARF Foundation It works to ensure that no vocation is lost due to a lack of financial resources. With the help of benefactors, companies, and committed institutions, it enables seminarians, diocesan priests, and men and women religious from more than 130 countries to receive an excellent education so they can later serve in their local churches. 

The support of organizations such as Unicaja Foundation It is essential to continue advancing this mission and to provide training opportunities for those who will play a leading role in the future of the Church throughout the world.

We at the CARF Foundation would like to express our most sincere gratitude for your trust and for joining us for yet another year in this project dedicated to supporting vocations.

The Pope's Homily at the Sagrada Familia

The visit of the Papa The visit to the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona left one of those images that remain etched in the collective memory of the Church. The blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ—the tallest tower in the church designed by Antoni Gaudí—was much more than an architectural or cultural event. It was an occasion to remember that Faith continues to illuminate the world when it is expressed through beauty, truth, and charity.

A Church That Is Always Under Construction

One of the central messages of the homily was the comparison between the basilica and the Christian life itself. The Sagrada Familia is still under construction after more than 140 years. Far from considering this a shortcoming, the Pope He presented this reality as a sign of hope.

The Church It, too, is always a work in progress. And every baptized person is part of it as a living stone called to take a place in God’s plan.

This image is especially meaningful for those who dedicate their lives to proclaiming the Gospel. Christian formation never ends. Priests, seminarians, religious, and laypeople are all called to allow ourselves to be continually shaped by grace so that we may collaborate in the work that God is doing in every heart.

Evangelization is not merely about imparting knowledge, but rather about to help Christ take shape in people.

Postal de principios de siglo de la Sagrada Familia en construcción. Römmler & Jonas
Early 20th-century postcard of the Sagrada Familia under construction, by Römmler & Jonas.

God continues to call builders for His Church

As he reflected on the words God spoke to King David, the Pope recalled a fundamental truth: it is not we who build a house for God; it is God who builds a house for us.

Every vocation arises from this divine initiative

Even today, the Lord continues to call young people from all over the world to the priesthood, to consecrated life, and to various forms of delivery Christian. She does this in modern cities and in small villages, in families believers and in places where faith barely survives.

El papa León XIV, durante la eucaristía solemne en la basílica de la Sagrada Familia
Pope Leo XIV during the solemn Mass at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia.

Vocations need to be guided, nurtured, and supported

That is why the mission of institutions such as the CARF Foundation takes on such special importance for the life of the Church. The Comprehensive Formation of Priests, Seminarians, and Religious It is not a secondary task. It is a direct investment in the evangelization of the world.

Every well-trained priest will be able to guide thousands of souls throughout his ministry. Every seminarian A person who receives a solid human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation becomes a source of hope for countless people who will one day find in him a shepherd.

Gaudí understood that beauty leads to God

On the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's death, the Pope wished to honor the brilliant Catalan architect as a deeply devout man who put his talent at the service of God.

The Sagrada Familia was not conceived solely as a masterpiece of architecture to be admired. It was designed to proclaim the Gospel.

Gaudí understood something that Christian tradition has known for centuries: beauty can open paths that words sometimes fail to traverse.

Anyone who enters the basilica Discover a catechesis built with stone, light, color, and proportions. Everything leads to Christ. Everything invites contemplation. Everything speaks of God.

But beauty needs interpreters

Even the finest work of art can become nothing more than a tourist attraction if no one helps people discover its deeper meaning. That is why the Church needs well-prepared priests who are capable of explaining the faith, providing spiritual guidance, and showing how created beauty always points to the infinite Beauty of God.

Detalle de la torre de Jesucristo de la Sagrada Familia.
Close-up of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia, David Zorrakino / EP.

The Cross as a Response to Human Suffering

One of the most powerful moments of the homily came when the Pope reminded the congregation that one cannot believe in Jesus Christ and at the same time promote war, kill the innocent, or abandon those who are suffering.

His words resonate strongly in the international context marked by conflict, persecution, poverty, and forced displacement.

The cross thus becomes a prophetic sign

It is not a symbol of human power. It is the sign of a love that gives itself completely. It is God's response to the world's suffering.

That is precisely why the formation of future priests and evangelizers cannot be limited to the acquisition of knowledge theological. It must prepare hearts capable of walking alongside those who suffer, proclaiming hope and bringing Christ’s comfort to those who need it most.

Evangelizing Through Beauty, Truth, and Charity

Perhaps the most relevant message of this homily is the close relationship between evangelization and beauty.

In a culture dominated by images, the Church continues to find in art, architecture, music, and culture special ways to bring people closer to God. However, these paths require credible witnesses.

Beauty opens the door. Truth enlightens the mind. Charity transforms the heart.

That is why the Church needs well-trained men and women who know how to engage with the contemporary world without renouncing the richness of the Gospel.

The Sagrada Familia, with its towers rising toward the sky, reminds us that all authentic evangelization helps people to lift their gaze. And that behind every great work of the Church there are always people who have generously responded to God’s call.

Construction of the basilica continues. Construction of the church also continues. And for this task, they continue to be Vocations, formation, and generosity are indispensable of those who work together to ensure that Christ's message reaches every corner of the world.

Homilía Papa León XIV en la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Full Homily

Sagrada Família Basilica (Barcelona)
Wednesday, June 10, 2026

[Spanish and Catalan]

"Lord, may Your name—which is so glorious—be exalted throughout the earth!» (Sl 8:2:10). With the praise of this psalm, so full of joy and wonder, I greet all of you, dear brothers and sisters. I express my gratitude to Their Majesties; I thank Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, as well as my fellow bishops and all those who join us in prayer: priests, deacons, and men and women religious.

On this festive afternoon for the entire city of Barcelona, I extend my grateful greetings to the public authorities, as well as to the members of other Christian communities and other religions who are joining us in giving thanks.

Today, the Basilica of the Sagrada Família welcomes us to this beautiful city, opening its doors as if they were arms inviting everyone to this altar to listen to the Word of God. It is a church that makes us a family beloved by the Lord, nourished by his very life in the Eucharist. This is how the city of Barcelona and all of Catalonia come together in this church, a sign as well of unity and harmony, and lift their gaze to encounter the face of God the Father, resplendent in his Son made man, Jesus Christ.

Pope Benedict has already consecrated it

As we give thanks to the Lord for his love toward us, we praise him for all that he does in our lives. We give Him thanks especially for this extraordinary basilica, which Pope Benedict XVI consecrated in 2010, recalling that it is a visible sign of the invisible God, and that its towers rise up for His glory (cf. Homily for the Consecration, November 7, 2010). Continuing in the spirit of my predecessor’s prayer, in a few moments I will bless the tallest tower, that of Jesus Christ.

[Today, the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia welcomes us to this beautiful city, opening its doors as if they were its arms to invite each of us to this altar to listen to the Word of God. It is a church that makes us a family loved by the Lord, nourished by his very life in the Eucharist. This is how Barcelona and all of Catalonia come together in this church—a sign of unity and harmony—and lift their gaze to encounter the face of God. Father, shining forth in her Son made man, Jesus Christ.

As we give thanks to the Lord for his love toward us, we praise him for what he does in our lives. We give Him thanks in particular for this extraordinary basilica, which Pope Benedict XVI consecrated in 2010, recalling that it is a visible sign of the invisible God, for whose glory its towers rise (cf. Homily for the Consecration, November 7, 2010). Continuing in the spirit of my predecessor’s prayer, in a few moments I will bless the highest tower—that of Jesus Christ.]

Much more than just a monument

This church is a single building, made up of many stones. A house that grows steadily over the years, following a single plan. All of us are the living stones of this work, which has Christ as its foundation and crowning glory, its beginning and end. Much more than a monument, the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia remains a work in progress today, reminding us that the Christian life is always a journey, because it is a project that God is carrying out.

We do not, therefore, inhabit an unfinished work, but a temple still under construction. Its imperfection is not a flaw, for it bears witness to a desire; it does not signify a lack, but rather expresses a promise that we wish to honor consistently. Our gratitude thus becomes a commitment as we cooperate in God’s plan—that is, in the building to which He Himself calls us. Since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Co 6:16:19), this work is one with our lives, which God conceives as a masterpiece that we are to create together, and He calls us to collaborate with Him (cf. 1 Co 3,9).

In this regard, we hold dear in our hearts the words the Lord spoke to King David: «Are you going to build me a house to be my dwelling place?» (2 Sam 7.5). On the contrary, «the Lord tells you that he is going to build a house for you» (v. 11).

Through this passage, Scripture teaches us that it is not we who give God a place, as if He were an element in a series or part of a whole greater than Himself. Rather, it is God who gives us a place, and the place He gives us is His own heart: the place of the Son, for us who were once strangers; the place of the Beloved, for us who are sinners.

The Lord is with us

His will is fulfilled through Jesus; we can therefore understand the meaning of what we heard in the Gospel, when the Lord says to the Pharisees: «Unless you believe that “I am,” you will die in your sins» (Jn 8,24).

Strong words—but they are by no means threats or blackmail. They are an invitation to salvation—that is, a call to freedom from Christ, who desires for us the ultimate, eternal good.

In the face of evil, the Lord is always with us, always on our side. “I am”: this is the Most Holy Name that God revealed to Moses from the burning bush, revealing His unwavering faithfulness. Becoming man, He becomes for us the Emmanuel, the source of grace and forgiveness, of salvation and new life.

Dear brothers and sisters, we cannot believe in Jesus and promote war. We cannot believe in Jesus and kill the innocent. We cannot believe in Jesus and abandon those who suffer, those who weep, and those who flee from misery.

On this night, then, the Cross of Christ, which crowns this basilica, is the Cross of the last, who become the first; of sinners who become saints; of the dead who are raised to life.

The three facades of the Sagrada Família bear witness to this: the First becomes the Last for us at Christmas; through his sacrifice, he redeems us through the Passion; his death gives us eternal life, making us partakers of divine glory. As we admire the tower of Jesus Christ, I looked over at her, Praise be to the One who reveals to us the truth about God and the truth about ourselves.

By looking to Christ, we can see the world with fresh eyes: the tower of the cross then becomes a symbol of charity, for God loves us in this way, transforming an instrument of death into a sign of hope. On the cross of Jesus, our faith reaches its peak, as professed by the inscription found at the base of the spire: “You alone are Holy, You alone are Lord, You alone are Most High”. This cross shines by day, reflecting the sunlight, and shines by night, illuminating the city like a lighthouse overlooking the Mediterranean.

gaudi torre jesucristo sagrada familia misa papa león

[Tonight, then, let us remember that the Cross of Christ, which crowns this basilica, is the Cross of the last who become the first, of sinners who become saints, of the dead who will rise again. The three facades of the Sagrada Família bear witness to this: the First becomes the Last for our sake at the Nativity; through his sacrifice, he redeems us through the Passion; his death gives us eternal life, making us sharers in divine glory.

As we admire the tower of Jesus Christ, we lift our gaze toward Him, toward the One who alone reveals to us the truth of God and the truth of ourselves. By looking to Christ, we can see the world with renewed eyes: the tower of the cross then becomes a banner of charity, because God loves us in this way, transforming an instrument of death into a sign of hope.

On the cross of Jesus, our faith reaches its pinnacle, as proclaimed by the inscription at the base of the spire: “Tu solus Sanctus, Tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus.” This cross shines by day, reflecting the sunlight, and shines by night, illuminating the city like a lighthouse facing the Mediterranean.]

The Light of the Risen One

Yes, the light of Christ shines in the darkness, even though the darkness has not accepted it (cf. Jn 1.5.11). However, this rejection does not mean that God’s love is lacking: «When you have lifted up the Son of Man,» says the Lord, “then you will know that I Am and that I do nothing on my own, but speak just as the Father has taught me” (Jn 8,28).

We must pass through the passion of the Crucified One to be enlightened by the glory of the Risen One: for from all eternity, the Father has taught us to give our lives, and the Son—who receives life from the Father—gives it to all through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is precisely why the cross is the radiant sign of his love.

It is faith that gives shape to the stones and meaning to the building we inhabit together. In our prayer, therefore, we discover the original connection between all things and God, the creator of heaven and earth: He is the artist who has imprinted His splendor on the cosmos.

Created in His image, humankind responds to God’s work with its own ingenuity: this is how the artist transforms talent into praise and creativity into a testimony to the Creator Himself. As an architect with a fervent faith, the venerable Antoni Gaudí conceived these spaces with the desire to recount the mysteries of the Lord’s life: in this way, he has offered us a spiritual pilgrimage that leads to an encounter with Christ—born, died, and risen for us.

Together with Gaudí, whose centennial of his death we are commemorating, we remember and give thanks this afternoon to all the promoters and benefactors, the artists, and the workers who collaborated in the construction of an architectural masterpiece—one that is also an eloquent catechesis made of stone, color, and light.

In this way, the Church renews the Biblia pauperum of the ancient cathedrals, which are themselves messages of evangelization of great richness. In this age of imagery, it is even more evident how art and beauty are preeminent channels of evangelization.

gaudi torre jesucristo sagrada familia misa papa león xiv

[It is precisely faith that shapes the stones and gives meaning to the edifice we inhabit together. In our prayer, therefore, we discover the original connection between all things and God, the Creator of heaven and earth: He is the Artist who has imprinted His splendor on the cosmos. Created in His image, humankind responds to God’s work with its own ingenuity: this is how the artist transforms talent into praise and creativity into a testimony to the Creator Himself.

As an architect of fervent faith, the venerable Antoni Gaudí conceived these spaces with the desire to recount the mysteries of the Lord’s life: in this way, he has offered us a spiritual pilgrimage that leads to an encounter with Christ—born, died, and risen for us. Together with Gaudí, on the centenary of whose death we are commemorating, we remember and give thanks this afternoon to all the promoters and benefactors, the artists, and the workers who contributed to the construction of an architectural masterpiece—one that is also an eloquent catechesis made of stone, color, and light.

In its wisdom, the Church thus renews the *Biblia pauperum* of the ancient cathedrals, which are in themselves messages of evangelization of great richness. In this age of images, it is even more evident how art and beauty are preeminent channels of evangelization.]

Dear brothers and sisters, the beauty of this church inspires us to learn more and more from our Master and Lord the art of living according to His Gospel. While We lift our eyes to Him, the Crucified and Risen One, let us commit ourselves to lifting up the faces of those who lie in the dust (cf. 1 Sam 2,8).

And let us thus demonstrate that the Sagrada Família is the tallest church in the world—not to stand out in worldly rankings, but to guide the steps of God’s people as they journey through this land of Catalonia, with the cross illuminating the way, like a lamp burning brightly as they await the return of the Bridegroom.

Psalm 23: Trust in God and the Image of Christ as the Good Shepherd

In 2011, during the general audience in St. Peter's Square in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI devoted the gathering to reflecting on Psalm 23, the well-known "Good Shepherd" psalm.

Dear brothers and sisters:

Turning to the Lord in prayer involves a radical act of trust, with the awareness that we are placing our trust in God, who is good, «compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in kindness and faithfulness» (Ex 34, 6-7; Salt 86, 15; cf. Jl 2, 13; Gn 4, 2; Salt 103, 8; 145, 8; Ne 9, 17). That is why today I would like to reflect with you on a Psalm that is completely imbued with trust, in which the psalmist expresses his serene certainty that he is guided and protected, kept safe from all danger, because the Lord is his shepherd. It is the Psalm 23—according to the Greco-Roman calendar, 22—a text familiar to all and loved by all.

The trust in God inspired by Psalm 23

»The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”: this is how this beautiful prayer begins, evoking the nomadic lifestyle of shepherds and the bond of mutual trust that develops between the shepherd and the sheep that make up his small flock. The image evokes an atmosphere of trust, intimacy, and tenderness: the shepherd knows each of his sheep individually, calls them by name, and they follow him because they recognize him and trust him (cf. Jn 10, 2-4).

He cares for them, guards them as precious treasures, ready to defend them, to ensure their well-being, and to allow them to live in peace. Nothing can be lacking if the shepherd is with them. The psalmist refers to this experience, calling God his shepherd and allowing himself to be guided by him to safe pastures:

«He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters and restores my strength; He guides me along the right path, for the sake of His name» (vv. 2–3).

Confianza en Dios, un texto de Benedicto XVI acerca del salmo 23

The Lord Is My Shepherd: A Sure Guide in Life

The scene that unfolds before our eyes is one of green meadows and springs of clear water, oases of peace to which the shepherd leads his flock—symbols of the places of life to which the Lord leads the psalmist, who feels like the sheep lying down on the grass beside a spring, in a moment of rest—not in tension or a state of alarm—but trusting and at peace, because the place is safe, the water is fresh, and the shepherd watches over them.

And let us not forget that the scene evoked by the Psalm is set in a largely desert land, scorched by the blazing sun, where the semi-nomadic shepherd of the Middle East lives with his flock in the parched steppes that stretch out around the villages. But the shepherd knows where to find grass and fresh water—essential for life—and knows how to lead his flock to the oasis where the soul «renews its strength» and can regain the strength and new energy needed to set out once more.

As the psalmist says, God leads him to «green pastures» and «still waters,» where everything is in abundance, everything is given in abundance. If the Lord is the shepherd, even in the desert—a place of absence and death—the certainty of a profound presence of life remains undiminished, to the point where we can say, «I lack nothing.».

The shepherd, in fact, cares for the well-being of his flock; he adapts his own pace and demands to those of his sheep, walks and lives with them, guiding them along «right» paths—that is, paths suited to them—and attending to their needs rather than his own. His priority is the safety of his flock, and that is what he seeks as he guides them.

Dear brothers and sisters, we too, like the psalmist, if we follow the «Good Shepherd,» even if the paths of our lives prove difficult, winding, or long—often even through spiritually barren lands, without water and under the scorching sun of rationalism—under the guidance of the Good Shepherd, Christ, we can be certain that we are walking along the «righteous» paths, and that the Lord is guiding us, is always near us, and we will lack nothing.

Trust in God in the Face of Difficulties

That is why the psalmist can express a sense of peace and security free from uncertainty and fear:

«Even though I walk through the darkest valleys, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me» (v. 4).

Those who walk with the Lord—even in the dark valleys of suffering, uncertainty, and all human problems—feel secure. You are with me: this is what we know for certain, the certainty that sustains us. The darkness of the night is frightening, with its shifting shadows, the difficulty in discerning dangers, and its silence filled with indecipherable sounds. If the flock moves after sunset, when visibility becomes uncertain, it’s normal for the sheep to become restless; there’s a risk of stumbling, straying, or getting lost, and there’s also the fear that potential predators might be hiding in the darkness.

To describe the «dark» valley, the psalmist uses a Hebrew expression that evokes the darkness of death; therefore, the valley that must be crossed is a place of anguish, of terrible threats, and of mortal danger. Yet the one praying moves forward with confidence, without fear, because he knows that the Lord is with him. That «You are with me» is a proclamation of unshakable trust, and it encapsulates a radical experience of faith; God’s nearness transforms reality, the dark valley loses all its danger, and is emptied of every threat. The flock can now walk in peace, accompanied by the familiar sound of the staff striking the ground, signaling the shepherd’s reassuring presence.

This comforting image concludes the first part of the Psalm and gives way to a different scene. We are still in the desert, where the shepherd lives with his flock, but now we are transported beneath his tent, which opens to offer hospitality:

«You set a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup overflows» (v. 5).

La Santa Misa y la Plenitud de los Tiempos

Now the Lord is presented as the One who welcomes the person praying, with signs of generous hospitality full of thoughtful attention. The divine host prepares the meal on the «table,» a term that in Hebrew, in its original sense, refers to the animal hide spread out on the ground, upon which food was placed for a communal meal.

It is a gesture of sharing not only food but also life, an offering of fellowship and friendship that forges bonds and expresses solidarity. Next comes the generous gift of perfumed oil poured on the head, which soothes the scorching heat of the desert sun, refreshes and soothes the skin, and lifts the spirit with its fragrance. Finally, the overflowing chalice adds a festive touch with its exquisite wine, shared with overflowing generosity. Food, oil, wine: these are the gifts that give life and joy because they go beyond what is strictly necessary and express the gratuitousness and abundance of love.

The Psalm 104, celebrating the Lord’s providential goodness, proclaims: «You cause grass to grow for the cattle, and fodder for those who serve man. He brings forth bread from the fields, and wine that gladdens the heart; oil that gives his face a healthy glow, and bread that gives him strength» (vv. 14–15).

The psalmist becomes the focus of much attention; thus, he is seen as a traveler who finds refuge in a welcoming tent, while his enemies must stop and watch, unable to intervene, because the one they considered their prey is now in a safe place; he has become a sacred guest, untouchable. And we are the psalmist if we are truly believers in communion with Christ. When God opens his tent to welcome us, nothing can harm us.

Then, when the traveler sets out again, divine protection continues and accompanies him on his journey: «Your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever» (v. 6).

God’s goodness and faithfulness are the escort that accompanies the psalmist as he leaves the tent and sets out once more on his journey. But this journey takes on new meaning, becoming a pilgrimage to the Lord’s temple—the holy place where the worshiper wishes to «dwell» forever and to which he longs to «return.» The Hebrew verb used here means «to return,» but with a slight vowel change, it can be understood as «to dwell,» and this is how it is rendered in the ancient versions and in most modern translations.

Both meanings can be retained: returning to the temple and dwelling there is the desire of every Israelite, and dwelling near God, in His presence and goodness, is the longing and yearning of every believer—to truly dwell where God is, near God. Following the Shepherd leads to his home; it is the goal of every journey, the longed-for oasis in the desert, the sheltering tent when fleeing from enemies, the place of peace where one experiences God’s goodness and faithful love, day after day, in the serene joy of an endless time.

The imagery of this Psalm, with its richness and depth, has accompanied the entire history and religious experience of the people of Israel, and continues to accompany Christians. The figure of the shepherd, in particular, evokes the early days of the Exodus, the long journey through the desert, like a flock under the guidance of the divine Shepherd (cf. Is 63, 11-14; Salt 77:20–21; 78:52–54). And in the Promised Land, it was the king who was tasked with tending the Lord’s flock, like David, the shepherd chosen by God and a figure of the Messiah (cf. 2 Sam 5, 1-2; 7, 8; Salt 78, 70-72).

Then, after the Babylonian exile, in what was almost a new Exodus (cf. Is 40:3–5, 9–11; 43:16–21), Israel is led back to its homeland like a lost and found sheep, guided by God to green pastures and places of rest (cf. Ez 34, 11-16.23-31).

dolor en la cruz muerte de jesus

Jesus Christ, the Fullness of Trust in God

But it is in the Lord Jesus that all the evocative power of our Psalm reaches its fullness and finds its full meaning: Jesus is the «Good Shepherd» who goes in search of the lost sheep, who knows his sheep and lays down his life for them (cf. Mt 18, 12-14; Lc 15, 4-7; Jn 10, 2–4, 11–18), he is the way, the right way that leads us to life (cf. Jn 14:6), the light that illuminates the dark valley and overcomes all our fears (cf. Jn 1, 9; 8, 12; 9, 5; 12, 46).

He is the generous host who welcomes us and keeps us safe from our enemies by setting the table for us with his body and blood (cf. Mt 26, 26-29; Mc 14, 22-25; Lc 22:19–20) and the final table of the messianic banquet in heaven (cf. Lc 14, 15 ff.; Ap 3:20; 19:9). He is the royal Shepherd, a king of gentleness and forgiveness, enthroned on the glorious wood of the cross (cf. Jn 3, 13-15; 12, 32; 17, 4-5).

Dear brothers and sisters, Psalm 23 invites us to renew our trust in God, entrusting ourselves completely to His care. Let us therefore pray with faith that the Lord may grant us—even on the difficult paths of our time—to always walk in his ways as a docile and obedient flock, that he may welcome us into his house, to his table, and lead us to «still waters,» so that, as we receive the gift of his Spirit, we may drink from his springs—sources of that living water «that springs up to eternal life» (Jn 4:14; cf. 7:37–39). Thank you.

Best regards

I cordially greet the Spanish-speaking pilgrims, especially the priests of the Pontifical Mexican College and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Holy Angels, as well as the groups from Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, and other Latin American countries. I invite you, dear brothers and sisters, to deepen your life of prayer, turning with confidence to the Lord, who is good and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in compassion. Thank you very much.

Benedict XVI. General Audience, October 5, 2011. (Read here)
Location: St. Peter's Square, in Rome.