ANGELUS TODAY
Pope Benedict reflects on Easter
and John Paul II's beatification
April 3, 2011
Pope Benedict at the Angelus today reflected on two forthcoming events in the Church calender, the feast of Easter and the Beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1st.
On the day after the 6th anniversary of John Paul’s death, the Holy Father said, "While, through our Lenten journey, we prepare for the feast of Easter, we are also joyfully approaching the day when we will venerate as Blessed this great witness of Christ and Pope and rely even more on his intercession".
He explained that because of the impending beatification of Pope John Paul, he did not celebrate a memorial Mass on Saturday, but “I fondly remembered him in prayer, as I think all of you did."
Before the recitation of the Marian prayer the Pope took time to reflect on the Sunday Gospel which recounts the miracle of the man born without sight.
“In today’s Gospel Jesus, the light of the world, gives sight to the man born blind. May the light of Christ, received in Baptism, always guide us through this life to the splendour of divine glory, the Pope said in his brief synthesis for English-speaking pilgrims.
In his mini-homily, the Pope explained that this man was on a journey of faith; he meets Jesus “as a 'man' among others, then he considers him a 'prophet', finally, his eyes open and he proclaims Him 'Lord'."
Pope Benedict went on to say that, "we too because of the sin of Adam are born" blind ", but in the baptismal font we were enlightened by the grace of Christ.”
Finally , before greeting the faithful in Saint Peter’s Square in a number of languages including English the Pope prayed that “in these days which prepare us for Easter may the gift we received at Baptism be rekindled in us, that flame that sometimes threatens to be stifled. Let us nourish it with prayer and love of neighbour".
Here is a full translation of the Pope's words today:
The Lenten itinerary that we are living these days is a special time of grace, during which we can experience the benevolence of the Lord towards us.
The liturgy this Sunday, called Laetare Sunday, invites us to rejoice, as the entry antiphon of the Mass does: "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad, all you who love her; Exult with her, all you who were mourning over her!" (cfr Is 66,10-11).
What is the profound reason for this joy? Today's Gospel, in whicb Jesus heals a man who had been born blind, tells us. The question Jesus asks the man who was once blind constitutes the main point of the narrative: "Do you believe in the Son of man?" (Jn 9.35).
That man recognizes the sign that had been worked by Jesus and passes from having light in his eyes to the light of faith: "I believe, Lord" (Jn 9,36).
One must point out how a simple and sincere person gradually achieves the path of faith. At first, he meets Jesus as just another 'man' among others, then considers him a 'prophet', and finally, his eyes are opened and he proclaims him 'Lord'.
The opposite of the faith of the blind man who was cured is the hardening of the heart among the Pharisees who would not acknowledge the miracle because they refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
And the crowd stops to talk about what has happened while remaining distant and indifferent. Even the parents of the once-blind man were overcome by fear of the judgment of others.
And we, what attitude do we take in front of Jesus? We too, beause of Adam's sin, were born 'blind', but in thebaptismal font, we were enlightened by the grace of Christ. Sin had wounded mankind, making man destined for the obscurity of death, but in Christ shines the new life t which we are all called.
In him, and reinvigorated by theHoly Spirit, we receive thestrength to conquer evil and to do good. Indeed, Christian life is a continual 'conformation' to Christ, the image of the new man, in order to reach full communion with God.
The Lord Jesus is the 'light of the world' (Jn 8,12), because in him, 'the knowledge of the glory of God shines" (2 Cor 4,6) who continues to reveal the sense of human existence in the complex tangle of history.
In the rite of Baptism, the candle lit from the great paschal candle that is the symbol of the Risen Christ, is a sign that helps us to grasp what happens in the Sacrament.
When we allow our life to be illuminated by the mystery of Christ, we experience the joy of being liberated from all that threatens its full realization.
During these days as we prepare for Easter, let us revive in us the gift received at Batpsim, the flame which at times risks being stifled. Let us nourish it with prayer and charity towards our neighbor.
To the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, let us entrust our Lenten journey, so that everyone may encounter Christ, Savior of the world.
After the prayers, he said:
Dear brothers and sisters, yesterday was the sixth anniversary of the death of my beloved predecessor, the Venerable John Paul II.
Because of his forthcoming beatification, I did not celebrate the traditional commemorative Mass for him, but I remembered him affectionately in prayer, as did all of you, I think.
While, through our Lenten journey, we prepare for Easter, we also approach with joy the day when we can venerate as Blessed this great Pontiff and witness to Christ, and entrust ourselves even more to his intercession.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 03/04/2011 18:32]