ANGELUS OF 1/11/08
After the Sistine Chapel Mass, the Holy Father led the usual noontime Angelus from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square. Here is a full translation of his words before the Angelus prayers:
Dear brothers and sisters!
On this Sunday which follows the Solemnity of the Epiphany, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. This was the first act of his public life, and it is narrated in all four Gospels.
When he was about 30 years old, Jesus left Nazareth, came to the river Jordan, and amid many others, had himself baptized by John.
The evangelist Mark writes: "On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased'"(Mk 1,10-11).
Those words - "You are my beloved Son" - reveal what eternal life is: it is the filial relationship with God, as Jesus lived it and as it has been revealed and given to us.
This morning, following tradition, I administered the sacrament of Baptism in the Sistine Chapel to 13 newborn babies.
To the parents and godparents, the celebrant usually asks, "What do you ask the Church of God for your children?" To their answer, "Baptism", he asks, "And what does Baptism give us?" They reply, "Eternal life".
That is the stupendous reality - the human being, through Baptism, becomes invested in the unique and singular relationship of Jesus with the Father, such that the words which resounded from heaven on the only-begotten Son become true for every man and woman who is reborn from the water and the Holy Spirit: You are my beloved Son.
Dear friends, how great is the gift of Baptism! If we only fully considered it, our livea would be a continuous 'grace'. What joy for Christian parents who have seen a new creature bud forth from their love, bring him to the baptismal font and see him reborn in the womb of the Church for a life that will never have an end.
A gift, A joy, but also responsibility. Parents, in fact, along with the godparents, should educate children according to the Gospel.
This brings me to the theme of the VI World Encounter of Families which will take place in the next few days in Mexico City: "The family as educator in human and Christian values".
This huge meeting among families, organized by the Pontifical Council For the Family, will take place on three levels: first, the Theological-Pastoral Congress, in which the theme will be discussed in depth, including an interchange of significant experiences in family life; then, the time of celebration and testimony, which will evoke the beauty of this encounter among families from all over the world, united in the same faith and the same commitment; and finally, the solemn Eucharistic celebration, as an act of thanksgiving to the Lord for the gifts of matrimony, family and life.
I have asked the Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone to represent me there, but I myself will be following this extraordinary event closely, accompanying it with my prayers, and participating through video-conference.
I ask you now, dear brothers and sisters, to implore the abundance of divine graces for this important world encounter of families. Let us do so, invoking the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the family.
This is what he said in English after the prayers:
To all the English-speaking visitors and pilgrims here today, I extend affectionate greetings.
On this feast of the Lord’s Baptism, Jesus descends into the waters of the Jordan, taking on himself the weight of our sins. When he rises from the water, the Spirit comes down upon him and the Father’s voice declares: "This is my beloved Son".
Let us rejoice that the Son of God came to share our human condition, so that we might rise with him to everlasting life.
Upon all who are here today, and upon your families and loved ones at home, I invoke God’s abundant blessings.