Benedict XVI at the Angelus Sunday
called on the faithful "to hear God's voice, echoing in the wilderness
of the world through the Holy Scriptures, especially when preached with
the power of the Holy Spirit."
And speaking after the Angelus he
recalled the dramatic situations of violence, intolerance and suffering
in Iraq, in Egypt and the victims of traffickers and criminals in the
Sinai Desert.
The Pope recalled the figure of St. John the Baptist,
" who, according to a famous prophecy of Isaiah (cf. 40.3), withdrew
into the wilderness of Judea and through his preaching, called the
people to repent in order to be ready for the imminent coming of the
Messiah. St. Gregory the Great says that the Baptist preaches the true
faith and good works ... so that the penetrating power of grace, the
light of truth shine, the pathways to God straightened and honest
thoughts are born in souls after listening to the Word that leads to all
good".
Even today, in the desert of the world, we must hear the voice
of God, said Benedict XVI quoting a much loved theologian, Romano
Guardini: "Dear friends, our salvation is based on a coming", as Romano
Guardini wrote (La santa notte. Dall’Avvento all’Epifania, Brescia 1994,
p. 13).
"The Saviour came from the freedom of God ... So the choice of
Faith consists in …welcoming He who comes ..." (p. 14). "The Redeemer, - adds the German-Italian theologian – comes to each
man in his joys and anxieties, his certainties, in his doubts and
temptations, in all that constitutes his nature and his life".
And
revealing the relevancy of the Gospel, Pope Benedict XI also launched a
strong appeal: "In this Advent season, in which we are called to nurture
our awaiting the coming of the Lord and to welcome him among us, I
invite you to pray for all situations of violence, intolerance,
suffering in the world, that the coming of Jesus may bring consolation,
reconciliation and peace. I think of the many difficult situations, such
as the continuous attacks that occur in Iraq against Christians and
Muslims, the clashes in Egypt where there were deaths and injuries, the
victims of traffickers and criminals, such as the drama of the hostages,
Eritreans and of other nationalities, in the Sinai desert. Respect for
the rights of all is the prerequisite for peace. Our prayer to the Lord
and our solidarity can bring hope to those who are suffering".
SIC: AN/INT'L