Accompanied by hundreds of pilgrims who filled the courtyard of his summer residence at Castelgondolfo, Pope John Paul II recited the Angelus after commenting on the day’s Gospel—the visit of Jesus to the house of Mary and Martha.

“While Martha was busy with the household tasks,” he said, “Mary sat at the Master’s feet listening to his words. Jesus affirmed that Mary ‘has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.’ The most important thing in life is listening to the Word of God.”

The Pope indicated the many occasions for listening to the Word of God: reading the Holy Scripture, praying

individually or in community, in silence before the Tabernacle and “especially on Sundays when Christians are called together to hear the Lord…during Holy Mass.

“When God dwells in the heart of the believer through the action of the Holy Spirit, it is easier to serve others. This is what happened in a singularly perfect way with Mary Most Holy. Let us entrust to her this season of vacations, seeing it as a favorable time to discover the primacy of the interior life.”