God never abandons us, even in a calamity, says Pope
Vatican City (AsiaNews) In the mystery of Christmas, God "has come to share our existence". Even in "the most difficult and painful trialsas in the recent calamity in south-east AsiaGod does not abandon us".
This is the core of what John Paul II told pilgrims in St Peter's Square before the noon prayer.
In recent days, secular voices asked how one can believe in a God that lets underwater quakes happen and hundreds of thousands of people die.
The Pope, who yesterday spoke of a great race of compassion and empathy on behalf of tsunami victims and survivors, said today that in "the commandment 'as he has loved you, so you also should love one another' . . . He makes his presence felt".
Here is the full text of what John Paul II said before the Angelus:
"In this first Sunday of the New Year, the Gospel's Christmas liturgy resonates once more: 'And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us' (Jn 1:14).
"The Word of God is the eternal Wisdom that works in the Cosmos and History; Wisdom that is fully revealed in the mystery of the Incarnation to establish a kingdom of life, love and peace.
"Faith teaches us that the most difficult and painful trialsas in the recent calamity in south-east AsiaGod does not abandon us".
"In the mystery of Christmas, He 'has come to share our existence'.
"The Babe of Bethlehem is the One who, on the eve of his redemptive death, left us with the commandment that as he has loved you, so you also should love one another (cf Jn 13: 34). It is in fulfilling 'His' commandment that he makes his presence felt.
"This evangelical message is the foundation for hope in a better world on the condition that we walk in the path of 'His' love.
"May the Mother of the Lord enable us in the beginning of the New Year make this our life plan."
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31/12/2004
07/12/2004
