|
Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
On
the Good News
"God Reigns in the World Through His Son Made Man"
H.H. Benedict XVI
January 27, 2008
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
In today's liturgy the evangelist Matthew, who will accompany us
though this whole liturgical year, presents the beginning of Jesus'
public mission. It essentially consists in the preaching of the
kingdom of God and in the healing of the sick, to demonstrate that
this kingdom has drawn near, indeed, it is already in our midst.
Jesus begins his preaching in Galilee, the region in which he grew
up, a "marginal" territory in comparison to the center of the Jewish
nation, which is Judea, and in it, Jerusalem. But the prophet Isaiah
had already announced that this land, assigned to the tribes of
Zebulun and Naphtali, would have a glorious future: The people
immersed in darkness would see a great light (cf. Isaiah 8:23-9:1),
the light of Christ and his Gospel (cf. Matthew 4:12-16).
The term "gospel" in Jesus' time was used by the Roman emperor's for
their proclamations. Independently of the content, they were defined
as "good news," that is, proclamations of salvation, because the
emperor was considered the lord of the world and each of his edicts
a portent of good. The application of this term to Jesus' preaching
had a very critical meaning, as if to say: God, not the emperor, is
the Lord of the world, and the true Gospel is that of Jesus Christ.
The "good news" that Jesus proclaims is summarized in these words:
"The kingdom of God," or the kingdom of heaven, "is near" (Matthew
4:17; Mark 1:15). What does this expression mean? It certainly does
not mean an earthly kingdom limited by space and time, but it
proclaims that it is God who rules, that God is Lord and his
lordship is present -- actual -- it is being realized.
The novelty of Christ's message is that in him God has drawn near,
he already reigns in our midst, as the miracles and the healings
that he accomplishes show. God reigns in the world through his Son
made man, and with the force of the Holy Spirit, who is called "the
finger of God" (cf. Luke 11:20). Where Jesus comes, the Creator
Spirit brings life and men are cured of diseases of body and spirit.
The lordship of God is thus manifested in the total healing of man.
With this Jesus wants to reveal the countenance of the true God, the
God who is near, full of mercy for every human being; the God who
makes a gift to us of life in abundance, of his own life. The
kingdom of God is for this reason life that affirms itself over
death, the light of the truth that scatters the darkness of
ignorance and falsehood.
Let us pray to Mary Most Holy that she obtain for the Church the
same passion for the kingdom of God that animated the mission of
Jesus Christ: passion for God, for his lordship of life and of love;
passion for man, encountered in truth to give him the most precious
treasure; the love of God, his Creator and Father.
[After the Angelus the Holy Father said the following in Italian:]
I greet with great affection the children and young people of
Catholic Action of Rome, who have come, as every year, at the
conclusion of the "Month of Peace," accompanied by the cardinal
vicar, by parents and educators. Two of them are here by me, they
have presented me with a message and shortly they will help me to
release two doves, symbol of peace. Dear little friends, I know that
you work on behalf of others your age who suffer from war and
poverty. Continue along the road that Jesus has shown to us to build
true peace!
Today we celebrate World Leprosy Day, begun 55 years ago by Raoul
Follereau. To all those who suffer from this disease I offer my
affectionate greeting, assuring you of a special prayer, which I
extend to those who, in various ways, assist them, in particular to
the volunteers of the Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau.
Last Monday, Jan. 21, I addressed a "Letter on the Urgent Task of
Education" to the Diocese and the city of Rome. I wanted to offer in
this way my own particular contribution to the formation of new
generations, a difficult and crucial undertaking for the future of
our city. On Saturday, Feb. 23, I will meet in a special audience in
the Vatican all of those who, as educators or as children,
adolescents and young people in formation, are most directly
participants in the challenge of education, and I will symbolically
consign this letter of mine to them.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[In English, he said:]
I greet all the English-speaking visitors present at today's
Angelus. In this Sunday's Gospel, we hear how Jesus called his first
apostles. At once they left everything and followed him. We too are
called to be disciples of Jesus. Let us be ready to offer ourselves
generously and whole-heartedly in his service. Upon all of you here
today, and upon your families and loved ones at home, I invoke God's
abundant blessings.
© Copyright 2008 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
