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Pope Benedict XVI- Apostolic Journey to the Holy Land |
"He Is With Us as the Vine Is With Its Own Branches"
Papal
Address at Site of Christ's Baptism
H.H. Benedict XVI
Bethany, Jordan
May 10, 2009
Your Royal Highness,
Dear Brother Bishops,
Dear friends,
It is with great spiritual joy that I come to bless the foundation
stones of the two Catholic Churches to be built beside the river
Jordan, a place marked by many memorable events in biblical history.
The prophet Elijah the Tishbite, was from this area, not far north
of Galaad. Near here, facing Jericho, the waters of the Jordan
opened before Elijah who was taken up by the Lord in a chariot of
fire (cf. 2 Kg 2:9-12). Here the Spirit of the Lord called John the
son of Zechariah to preach a conversion of hearts. John the
Evangelist also places in this area the meeting between the Baptist
and Jesus, who at his baptism was "anointed" by the Spirit of God
descending as a dove, and proclaimed the beloved Son of the Father (cf.Jn
1:28; Mk 1:9-11).
I was honored to be received at this important site by Their
Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania. I again wish to express
my sincere gratitude for the warm hospitality they have shown me
during my visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
I greet with joy His Beatitude Gregorios III Laham, Patriarch of
Antioch for the Greek Melkite Church. I also greet with affection
His Beatitude Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. I
extend my warm best wishes to His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, to the
Auxiliary Bishops present, particularly to Archbishop Joseph Jules
Zerey and the Most Reverend Salim Sayegh, whom I thank for his kind
words of welcome. I am pleased to greet all the Bishops, priests,
religious and faithful who accompany us today. Let us rejoice in the
knowledge that the two buildings, one Latin, the other Greek Melkite,
will serve to build up, each according to the traditions of its own
community, the one family of God.
The foundation stone of a church is a symbol of Christ. The Church
rests on Christ, is sustained by him and cannot be separated from
him. He is the one foundation of every Christian community, the
living stone, rejected by the builders but chosen and precious in
God's sight as a cornerstone (cf. 1 Pet 2:4-5, 7). With him, we too
are living stones built into a spiritual house, a dwelling place for
God (cf. Eph2:20-22; 1 Pet 2:5). Saint Augustine loved to refer to
the mystery of the Church as the Christus totus, the whole Christ,
the full or complete Body of Christ, Head and members. This is the
reality of the Church; it is Christ and us, Christ with us. He is
with us as the vine is with its own branches (cf. Jn 15:1-8). The
Church is in Christ a community of new life, a dynamic reality of
grace that flows from him. Through the Church Christ purifies our
hearts, enlightens our minds, unites us with the Father and, in the
one Spirit, moves us to a daily exercise of Christian love. We
confess this joyful reality as the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
Church.
We enter the Church through baptism. The memory of Christ's own
baptism is brought vividly before us in this place. Jesus stood in
line with sinners and accepted John's baptism of penance as a
prophetic sign of his own passion, death and resurrection for the
forgiveness of sins. Down through the centuries, many pilgrims have
come to the Jordan to seek purification, renew their faith and draw
closer to the Lord. Such was the pilgrim Egeria, who left a written
account of her visit during the late fourth century. The Sacrament
of Baptism, drawing its power from Christ's death and resurrection,
will be cherished especially by the Christian communities that
gather in the new church buildings. May the Jordan always remind you
that you have been washed in the waters of baptism and have become
members of the family of Jesus. Your lives, in obedience to his
word, are being transformed into his image and likeness. As you
strive to be faithful to your baptismal commitment of conversion,
witness and mission, know that you are being strengthened by the
gift of the Holy Spirit.
Dear brothers and sisters, may the prayerful contemplation of these
mysteries enrich you with spiritual joy and moral courage. With the
Apostle Paul, I encourage you to grow in the whole range of noble
attitudes covered by the blessed name of agape, Christian love (cf.
1 Cor 13:1-13). Promote dialogue and understanding in civil society,
especially when claiming your legitimate rights. In the Middle East,
marked by tragic suffering, by years of violence and unresolved
tensions, Christians are called to offer their contribution,
inspired by the example of Jesus, of reconciliation and peace
through forgiveness and generosity. Continue being grateful to those
who lead you and serve you faithfully as ministers of Christ. You do
well to accept their guidance in faith knowing that, by receiving
the apostolic teaching they transmit, you welcome Christ and you
welcome the One who sent him (cf. Mt 10:40).
My dear brothers and sisters, we now proceed to bless these two
stones, the beginning of two new sacred buildings. May the Lord
sustain, strengthen and increase the communities that will worship
in them. And may he bless you all with his gift of peace. Amen!
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