Pope: end Gaza violence and resume serious, concrete dialogue
Benedict XVI appealed to Israelis, Palestinians and all those who bear responsibility in the region. Before the Angelus, the pope urged reflection on the Christian meaning of death, which the culture of wellbeing seeks to do away with: it is not physical death that should be feared, but death of the soul.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) Benedict XVI today made a fervent appeal to Israelis, Palestinians and "nations with particular responsibility in the region" to end the latest spate of violence in Gaza. After the recital of the Angelus, the pope called for help for victims of ongoing clashes and for the resumption of "direct, serious and concrete" dialogue.
Addressing 20,000 people in St Peter's Square on a cold, cloudy day, the pope also drew attention to the Christian meaning of death, saying that since the coming of Jesus, death on the physical level should no longer cause fear. "The true death to be feared is that of the soul, which the Apocalypse calls 'second death' (cfr Ap 20:14-15; 21:8). In fact, whoever dies in a state of mortal sin, without repenting, closed in the proud refusal of God's love, excludes himself from the kindgom of life."
The pope took his cue from the liturgical commemoration of deceased faithful, which he described as a "a suitable occasion to remember in prayer our dear ones and to meditate on the realty of death, which the so-called 'culture of wellbeing' often seeks to remove from people's conscience, as they are taken up with the cares of daily life. Dying, in reality, is part of life, and not only at its end, but in every moment. Despite the distractions, however, the loss of a person dear to us makes us rediscover the 'problem', making us feel death to be an extremely hostile presence contrary to our natural vocation for life and happiness."
Benedict XVI said: "Jesus revolutionized the meaning of death. He did so with his teaching but above all by facing death Himself. 'Dying he destroyed death', repeats the Liturgy at Easter time". He continued: "In the ultimate analysis, He was born to be able to die, and thus to liberate us from the slavery of death."
"Who seeks to live like Him is freed from the fear of death, which no longer shows the mocking sneer of an enemy but, as St Francis wrote in the Canticle of the Creatures, the friendly face of a 'sister', for which the Lord could even be blessed: 'All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death'. Our faith reminds us that we need not fear death of the body, because it is a sleep from which we will one day be reawakened."
The pope added: "By the intercession of the Most Blessed Mary and St Joseph, let us invoke the Lord for the grace to prepare ourselves serenely to leave this world when He wants to call us, in the hope that we will be able to dwell eternally with Him, in the company of the saints and our dear departed ones."
After reciting the Marian prayer, the pope talked about the tragic situation in Gaza, voicing the "vivid concern" with which he is following news about the "grave deterioration of the situation". Benedict XVI expressed "nearness to civilian people who are suffering the consequences of acts of violence." He added: "I ask you to join in my prayer, that the almighty and merciful God may enlighten the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, as well as those of nations with particular responsibility in the region, so that they may undertake to stop the bloodshed, multiplying initiatives of humanitarian aid and encouraging the immediate resumption of direct, serious and concrete negotiations."
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02/11/2016 11:24
15/01/2009
