Pope Benedict XVI- Regina Coeli |
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Regina Coeli
On the Feast of the Ascension
"The Lord, Taking the Road to Heaven, Gives Us a Foretaste of
Divine Life"
H.H. Benedict XVI
May 16, 2010
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today in Italy and other countries, the Ascension of Jesus into heaven
is celebrated, which occurred 40 days after Easter. This Sunday is also
the World Day for Social Communications, which has as its theme: "The
Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the
Service of the Word." In the liturgy Jesus' final departure from his
disciples is narrated (cf. Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:2, 9); but this is not
an abandonment because he remains with them, with us, forever, in a new
form. St. Bernard of Clairvaux explains that Jesus' ascension into
heaven is accomplished in three stages: "The first is the glory of the
Resurrection; the second is the power to judge; and the third is sitting
at the Father's right hand" ("Sermo de Ascensione Domini," 60, 2: Sancti
Bernardi Opera, t. VI, 1, 291, 20-21). This event is preceded by the
blessing of the disciples, whom he prepares to receive the Holy Spirit,
so that salvation be preached everywhere. Jesus himself says to them:
"You are witnesses to this. And behold, I send upon you him whom my
Father has promised" (cf. Luke 24:47-49).
The Lord draws the gaze of the Apostles, our gaze, to show how we should
travel the good road during life on earth. Nevertheless, he remains in
the plot of human history, he is near to each of us and guides our
Christian path: He is the companion of those who are persecuted because
of their faith, he is in the heart of those who are marginalized, he is
present in those to whom the right to life is denied. We can hear, see
and touch the Lord Jesus in the Church, especially through the Word and
the sacraments. In this regard I exhort children and young people, who
are receiving the sacrament of Confirmation in this Easter season, to
remain faithful to the Word of God and the teaching that comes from it,
and to assiduously approach Confession and the Eucharist as well,
conscious of being chosen and constituted to witness the Truth. I renew
my special invitation to my brothers in the priesthood, that "in their
life and actions they distinguish themselves by a powerful evangelical
witness" ("Letter Proclaiming a Year for Priests") and know also how to
use the means of communication wisely, to make the life of the Church
known and help the men of today to find the face of Christ (cf. "Message
for the 46th World Day of Social Communications," January 24, 2010).
Dear Brothers and Sisters, the Lord, taking the road to heaven, gives us
a foretaste of divine life already on earth. A 19th century Russian
author wrote in his spiritual testament: "Observe the stars more. When
you have a burden in your soul, look at the stars or the azure of
heaven. When you feel sad, when they offend you, ... think about ...
heaven. Then your soul will find rest" (N. Valentini - L. Žák [a cura],
Pavel A. Florenskij. "Non dimenticatemi. Le lettere dal gulag del grande
matematico, filosofo e sacerdote russo," Milano 2000, p. 418).
I thank the Virgin Mary, whom I was able to venerate at the shrine in
Fatima a short time ago, for her maternal protection during the intense
pilgrimage in Portugal. With confidence we address our prayer to her who
watches over the witnesses of her beloved Son.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[After the recitation of the Regina Caeli, the Holy Father greeted the
pilgrims in various languages. In English, he said:]
I greet with joy the English-speaking visitors who have come here today,
and I pray that your pilgrimage to Rome will strengthen your faith and
your love for the Risen Lord. In the course of this week we will pray
with the whole Church for the coming of the Holy Spirit, asking him to
pour out his gifts upon our families, our parishes, and all whom we
love. May God bless all of you!
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