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HOMILIES, ANGELUS, AND OTHER SPIRITUAL TEXTS

Ultimo Aggiornamento: 26/04/2009 19:14
06/01/2009 16:46
 
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ANGELUS OF 1/6/09




Here is a full translation of the Holy Father's words at the Angelus today:


Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Epiphany, the 'manifestation' of the Lord. The Gospel narrates how Jesus came to the world in great humility and hiddenness.

St. Matthew nonetheless cites the episode of the Magi who came from the east, led by a star, in order to render homage to the newborn King of the Jews.

Every time we listen to this story, we are struck by the sharp contrast between the attitude of the Magi, on the one hand, and of Herod and the Jews, on the other.

In fact, the Gospel says that upon hearing the words of the Magi, King Herod 'was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (Mt 2,3). A reaction that can have different interpretations: Herod is alarmed, because he sees in him whom the Magi seek a rival for himself and for his children. The chiefs and residents of Jerusalem, on the other hand, seemed more stunned than anything else, as if they had been awakened from a certain torpor and needed to reflect.

Isaiah had, in fact, pre-announced: "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace" (Is 9,5).

Why then was Jerusalem upset? It seems that the Evangelist wished almost to anticipate what would be the attitude of the High Priests and the Sanhedrin, but even of the people, regarding Jesus during his public life.

Certainly, it makes evident that knowledge of Scriptures and of the Messianic prophecies do not bring everyone to open up to Him and his word. We recall that just before his Passion, Jesus wept over Jerusalem because it did not 'recognize the time of its visitation' (cfr Lk 19,44).

This is one of the crucial points in the theology of history: the drama of God's faithful love in the person of Jesus who "came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him" (Jn 1,11).

In the light of the whole Bible, this attitude of hostility, or ambiguity, or superficiality, represents that of every man and of 'the world' - in a spiritual sense - when they close themselves off from the mystery of the true God, who comes to us in the disarming gentleness of love.

Jesus, the 'king of the Jews' (cfr Jn 18,37), is the God of mercy and faith. He wants to reign in love and in truth, and asks us to convert ourselves, to abandon bad deeds and to decisively take the way of goodness. In this sense, then, 'Jerusalem' is all of us.

May the Virgin Mary, who accepted Jesus in faith, help us not to close our hearts to the Gospel of salvation. Rather, let us allow ourselves to be conquered and transformed by him, Emmanuel, God who has come among us to make us a gift of his peace and his love.


After the Angelus, he said this:

I address my fervent wishes to our brothers and sisters in the Oriental Churches, who, following the Julian calendar, will celebrate the Holy Nativity tomorrow. May the memory of the Savior's birth kindle ever more in their hearts the joy of being loved by God.

Remembering our brothers in the faith leads me in spirit to the Holy Land and the Middle East. I continue to follow with great apprehension the violent armed encounters taking place in the Gaza Strip. While I repeat that hatred and the rejection of dialog can only lead to war, I wish today to encourage the initiatives and efforts of those who, having peace at heart, are seeking to make Israelis and Palestinians agree to sit down and talk. May God support the commitment of these courageous 'makers of the peace'.

The Feast of the Epiphany, in many countries, is also the feast of children. Therefore, my thoughts go to all children, who are the wealth and blessing of the world, but especially to the many who are denied a peaceful childhood.

I wish, in particular, to call attention to the dozens of children and youths who, in the past months, including the Christmas season, have been kidnapped by armed bands who attack villages, causing numerous deaths and injuries, in the eastern province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I appeal to those responsible for such inhuman brutalities to return these children to their families and to a future of security and growth, to which they have a right along with the beloved peoples of that region.

I also express my spiritual nearness to the local Churches, including those that have been directly struck in their personnel and in their work, even as I exhort the Pastors and the faithful to be strong and firm in hope.

The episodes of violence against children, which unfortunately also take place in other parts of the world, appear even more deprecable considering that 2009 is the 20th anniversary of the international Convention on Children's Rights.

This is a commitment that the international community is called on to renew in order to defend, protect and promote the children of the world.

May the Lord help those - and they are innumerable - who work daily in the service of the new generations, helping them to be protagonists for their own future.

Besides, the Day of Missionary Children, which the Church celebrates today on the Feast of the Epiphany, is a timely occasion for demonstrating how children and young people can play an important role in spreading the Gospel and in brotherly works to their more needy contemporaries. May the Lord reward them!



In English, he said:

I greet all the English-speaking visitors who join us for this Angelus prayer.

On this feast of the Epiphany, the Church celebrates the revelation of Christ, the Eternal Son of the Father, as the light of the nations and the Saviour of all mankind.

May the radiance of the Lord’s glory fill you and your families with deep spiritual joy, and draw men and women everywhere to faith and new life in him!


To the Italians, he said:

I also greet those who are taking part in the pageant-procession "Viva la Befana', inspired this year by the folklore of the city and region of Assisi.

'Befana'* comes from 'Epiphany'. and therefore, I greet all the children of Rome on this feast, as well as the adults, that they may retain the spirit of childhood. Best wishes to all!


*La Befana, in Italian folklore, is the old woman who brings gifts to children on Twelfth Night (Epiphany being the 12th day after Christmas), as well as lumps of coal for the undeserving.


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