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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus Message
On Mary as Mother
"We Can Turn to Her, and Our Heart Receives Light and Comfort"
H.H. Benedict XVI
December 8, 2009
www.zenit.org
Dear
Brothers and Sisters!
The 8th of December we celebrate one of the most beautiful feasts of
the Blessed Virgin Mary: the Solemnity of her Immaculate Conception.
But what does it mean that Mary is the "Immaculate"? And what does
this title tell to us?
First of all we refer to the biblical texts of today's liturgy,
especially the great "fresco" of the third chapter of the Book of
Genesis and the account of the Annunciation of the Gospel of Luke.
After original sin, God turned to the serpent, which represents
Satan, he curses him and adds a promise: "I will put enmity between
you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall
bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15).
It is the proclamation of revenge: Satan at the beginning of
creation seems to have the upper hand, but the son of a woman will
come who will crush his head. Thus, through the woman's offspring,
God himself will triumph. That woman is the Virgin Mary, from whom
was born Jesus Christ who, with his sacrifice, has defeated once and
for all the ancient tempter. Because of this, in so many painting
and statues of the Immaculate, she is represented in the act of
crushing a serpent under her foot.
The evangelist Luke, instead, shows us the Virgin Mary who receives
the annunciation of the heavenly messenger (cf. Luke 1:26-38). She
appears as the humble and authentic daughter of Israel, true Zion in
whom God wishes to make his dwelling. She is the young plant from
which the Messiah must be born, the just and merciful King.
In the simplicity of the home of Nazareth lives Israel's pure
remnant from which God wishes to have his people be born again, as a
new tree that will extend its branches in the whole world, offering
all men good fruits of salvation. As opposed to Adam and Eve, Mary
remains obedient to the Lord's will, with her whole self she
pronounces her "yes" and places herself fully at the disposition of
the divine plan. She is the new Eve, true "mother of all the living"
-- that is, of all those who by faith in Christ receive eternal
life.
Dear friends, what immense joy to have Mary Immaculate as Mother!
Every time we experience our frailty and the suggestion of evil, we
can turn to her, and our heart receives light and comfort.
Also in life's trials, in the storms that make faith and hope
vacillate, we think that we are her children and that the roots of
our existence sink in the infinite grace of God. The Church herself,
even if exposed to the negative influences of the world, always
finds in her the star to direct and follow the route indicated by
Christ.
Mary is in fact the Mother of the Church, as Pope Paul VI and
Vatican Council II solemnly proclaimed. While, therefore, we render
thanks to God for this wonderful sign of his goodness, we entrust to
the Immaculate Virgin each one of us, our families and the
community, the whole Church and the entire world.
I will also do so this afternoon, according to the tradition, at the
feet of the monument dedicated to her in Piazza di Spagna.
[After the Angleus, the Pope greeted the pilgrims. In Italian, he
said:]
Also this year, in today's feast, I have the joy of greeting the
Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate, led by Cardinal Andrea Maria
Deskur. Dear Lord Cardinal, dear friends, I entrust with affection
each one of you and your activity to the maternal protection of the
Virgin Mary.
Then I address a special thought to Italian Catholic Action, which
today, in so many parishes, renews its commitment to the Church. In
particular, I encourage the educators of Boys Catholic Action,
present here in the Square at the conclusion of their annual
meeting, to be generous and tireless in educating boys in the faith
and in witnessing.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[In English, he said:]
I am happy to greet all the English-speaking visitors present in
this Angelus prayer. Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of
Mary, the Mother of Jesus. As we venerate her life of holiness, full
of grace from the beginning of her existence, we praise God and
acclaim the power of his gifts. May all Christians, filled with
joyful hope and following the example of Mary, be faithful to God's
grace and seek a life of holiness. I wish you all a happy feast day
and a pleasant stay in Rome!
© Copyright 2009 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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