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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus Message
On the Pope's Mission
"To Make Present Among Men the Peace of God"
H.H. Benedict XVI
August 24, 2008
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
This Sunday's liturgy addresses the twofold question that Jesus one
day posed to his disciples, to us Christians, and to every man and
woman. First he asks them: "Who do people say that the Son of Man
is?" They told him that for some he was John the Baptist come back
to life, for others, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then
the Lord directly asked the disciples: "Who do you say that I am?"
Peter speaks decisively and with enthusiasm on behalf of all: "You
are the Christ, the Son of the living God." A solemn proclamation of
faith that the Church has continued to repeat ever since.
We too today desire to proclaim with deep conviction: Yes, Jesus,
you are the Christ, the Son of the living God! We do this knowing
that Christ is the true "treasure" for which it is worth sacrificing
everything; he is the friend who never abandons us, because he knows
the most intimate longings of our heart. Jesus is the "Son of the
living God," the promised Messiah, who has come to earth to offer
salvation and to satisfy the thirst for life and love that inhabits
every human being. How much humanity would gain by welcoming this
proclamation that brings joy and peace with it!
"You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." In response to this
inspired profession of faith from Peter, Jesus says: "You are Peter
and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it. To you I will give the keys of the
kingdom of heaven."
This is the first time that Jesus speaks of the Church, whose
mission is the actuation of the great design of God to gather the
whole of humanity into one family in Christ. The mission of Peter,
and of his successors, is precisely to serve this unity of the one
Church of God made up of pagans and Jews; his indispensable ministry
is to make sure that the Church never identifies herself with any
particular nation or culture, but that she be the Church of all
peoples, to make present among men -- who are marked by countless
divisions and contrasts -- the peace of God, the unity of those who
have become brothers and sisters in Christ: This is the unique
mission of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Peter.
Before the enormous responsibility of this task, I feel more and
more the obligation and importance of the service to the Church and
the world that has been entrusted to me. Because of this I ask you
dear brothers and sisters to support me with your prayer, so that,
faithful to Christ, together we can announce and bear witness to his
presence in our time. May Mary, whom we confidently invoke as Mother
of the Church and Star of Evangelization, obtain this grace for us.
[Following the Angelus, the Pope said the following:]
The growing tensions around the world in recent weeks is cause for
lively concern. We must note, with bitterness, the threat of a
progressive deterioration in the climate of confidence and
cooperation that should characterize relations between nations. In
the present circumstances, how can we not measure the difficulty
with which humanity strives to form that common awareness of being
the "family of nations" that John Paul II indicated as the ideal to
the general assembly of the United Nations? We must deepen the
awareness of being united by a common destiny, that, in the final
analysis, is a transcendent destiny (Cf. "Message for the World Day
of Peace," Jan. 1, 2006, No. 6), to avert the return to
nationalistic conflicts that in other historical periods have had
such tragic consequences.
The recent events have weakened the confidence in many that such
experiences had been consigned to the past. But we must not give in
to pessimism! We must instead actively commit ourselves to reject
the temptation to confront new situations with old systems. Violence
must be repudiated! The moral force of law, equitable and
transparent negotiations to settle controversies, beginning with
those linked to the territorial integrity and self-determination of
peoples, fidelity to the word given, pursuit of the common good:
These are some of the principal routes to take, with tenacity and
creativity, to build fruitful and sincere relations and to guarantee
to present and future generations times of concord and moral and
civil progress!
Let us transform these thoughts and these desires into prayer, so
that all the members of the international community and those, in
particular, who have been given great responsibility, will work with
generosity to re-establish the superior motivations of justice and
peace. Mary, Queen of peace, intercede for us!
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[Then the Holy Father greeted the people in several languages. In
English, he said:]
I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors
present for this Angelus prayer. Today's Liturgy reminds us that as
Christians we profess with Simon Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of the living God. As members of the Church may we always find
the courage to live faithfully and bear witness in word and deed to
Christ our Lord and Saviour. I wish you all a pleasant stay in
Castel Gandolfo and Rome, and a blessed Sunday!
© Copyright 2008 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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