Pope Benedict XVI has called on
those in “positions of military and political responsibility” in Libya
to have the well being of citizens above all at heart and guarantee the
arrival of humanitarian aid” and that they reign so that the entire
region “may known a horizon of peace and harmony”.
In a appeal launched
after reciting the Angelus Sunday in St Peter's Square, the Pope spoke of
the "alarming news" coming from Libya.
"In recent days - his words - the disturbing news coming from Libya have awakened in me fear and trepidation. I prayed especially to the Lord about it during the week of the Spiritual Exercises. I
am following – he continued - the latest developments with great
concern, I pray for those involved in the dramatic situation in that
country and make an urgent appeal to all political and military leaders,
that they may have at heart, above all, the safety and security of
their citizens and that they may ensure access to humanitarian relief. To
the people I want to assure my heartfelt closeness, and I ask God that a
horizon of peace and harmony may arise as soon as possible on Libya and
the entire North African region”.
Before the Marian prayer and, previously, during the visit he
made in the parish of St. Corbinian all'Infernetto, on the southern the
outskirts of the city, Benedict XVI, spoke of the Transfiguration of
which the Gospel for this Sunday of Lent.
"The Transfiguration – he said during a Mass celebrated in the
parish - is a revelation of the person of Jesus, his profound reality. In
fact, the eyewitnesses of the event, namely the three Apostles, they
were enveloped in a cloud, which is also light – which in the Bible
always announces the presence of God - and heard a voice saying, "This
is my Son, the beloved: in him I am well pleased. Listen to him "(Mt 17:5). With
this event, the disciples are prepared for the paschal mystery of
Jesus: for overcoming the terrible ordeal of his passion and also
understanding the luminous fact of the resurrection.
"The story - he continued - also speaks of Moses and Elijah who
appeared and talked with Jesus. In fact this episode has a relationship
with two other divine revelations. Moses went up on Mount Sinai, and there was given the revelation of God. He
had asked to see Hiss glory, but God had told him that he would not see
his face, but only from behind a rock (cf. Ex 33.18-23). Likewise,
even Elia had a revelation of God on the mountain: a more intimate
event, not a storm, an earthquake, or fire, but with a light breeze (cf.
1 Kings 19.11-13).
Unlike these two episodes, the
Transfiguration is not Jesus who has a revelation of God, but it is in
Him that God reveals himself and reveals his face to the Apostles. So,
who wants to know God, must contemplate the face of Jesus, his face
transfigured: Jesus is the perfect revelation of the holiness and mercy
of God. Also, we must note that God’s will was reveled to Moses on Mount Sinai: the Ten Commandments. And, still on the mountain, God revealed to Elijah a divine mission. Jesus,
however, does not receive a revelation of what he should do: he already
knows, rather it is the Apostles who hear, in the cloud, the voice of
God commands: "Listen." The will of God is fully revealed
in the person of Jesus, those who would live according to the will of
God must follow Jesus, listen, accept his words and, with the help of
the Holy Spirit, deepen them”.