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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus
Message
On the Eucharist
"It Nourishes That Profound Joy in Believers"
H.H. Benedict XVI
March 18, 2007
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
I have just returned from the Juvenile Detention Center in the Casal
di Marmo in Rome. I went there to visit on this Fourth Sunday of
Lent, which we call in Latin "Laetare" (rejoice) from the first word
of the entrance antiphon of the liturgy of today's Mass.
Today the liturgy invites us to rejoice because Easter is drawing
near, the day of Christ's victory over sin and death. But where do
we find the source of Christian joy if not in the Eucharist, which
Christ has left us as spiritual food while we are pilgrims on earth?
In every age the Eucharist nourishes that profound joy in believers
that makes us all one with love and with peace. This joy has its
origin in our communion with God and with our brothers.
Last Tuesday the postsynodal apostolic exhortation "Sacramentum
Caritatis" was presented. This document has as its theme the
Eucharist as source and summit of the life and mission of the
Church. I elaborated this theme, gathering the fruits of the 11th
General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that took place in the
Vatican in October 2005.
I plan to return to such an important text but at the moment I would
like to underline that it is an expression of the faith of the
universal Church in the eucharistic mystery, and that it places
itself in continuity with the Second Vatican Council and the
magisterium of my venerated predecessors, Paul VI and John Paul II.
In this document I wanted, among other things, to highlight its
connection with the encyclical "Deus Caritas Est": That is why I
chose "Sacramentum Caritatis" as the title, retrieving St. Thomas
Aquinas' beautiful definition of the Eucharist (cf. Summa Theologiae
III, q. 73, a. 3, ad 3), "sacrament of charity."
Yes, in the Eucharist, Christ wanted to give to us his love, which
led him to offer his life for us on the cross.
During the Last Supper, washing the disciples' feet, Jesus left us
the commandment of love: "Love one another as I have loved you,"
(John 13:34). But because this is possible only so long as we remain
united with him, as branches of the vine (John 15:1-8), he chose to
stay with us in the Eucharist, and this is what makes it possible
for us to remain in him.
Therefore, when we nourish ourselves in faith with his body and his
blood, his love passes into us and renders us able in turn to give
our lives for the brethren (cf. 1 John 3:16). From here flows
Christian joy, the joy of love.
The "eucharistic woman" par excellence is Mary, the masterpiece of
divine grace: God's love made her immaculate and "in his presence in
charity" (Ephesians 1:4). God placed St. Joseph -- whose liturgical
solemnity we will celebrate tomorrow -- by her side, to guide the
Redeemer.
I particularly invoke this great saint so that believing,
celebrating, and living with faith the Eucharistic mystery, the
people of God will be pervaded by the love of Christ and will spread
the fruits of joy and peace through all humanity.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[After praying the Angelus, the Pope greeted pilgrims in several
languages. In English he said:]
I extend warm greetings to all the English-speaking pilgrims
gathered for today's Angelus. Continuing our journey towards the
Paschal feast, we are reminded in this Sunday's Gospel of the
heavenly Father's boundless love. May the riches of his infinite
mercy fill you with peace and joy this Lenten season. Upon you and
your families I invoke God's abundant blessings.
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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