ALL CHRISTIANS MUST LIVE THEIR FAITH COHERENTLY

VATICAN CITY, DEC 26, 2000 (VIS) - In today's angelus, the Holy Father affirmed that St. Stephen, whose feast day this is, "honors with his martyrdom the coming into the world of the King of kings, giving Him his own life as a gift. Thus, he shows us how to live the mystery of Christmas."

"In order to welcome Jesus as He deserves and to prolong the joy of the Holy Night," said the Holy Father to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, "we must make gospel teaching our own, even at the cost of our lives. And if not everyone is called, as St. Stephen was, to spill their blood for Christ, all Christians are nonetheless asked to be coherent with their own faith in all the circumstances of life."

After recalling the angels' announcement to the shepherds, "on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased," John Paul II said: "The peace we so crave and hope for, the only peace capable of placating the minds and hearts of all, is guaranteed to those who, through the trials of life, know how to welcome God's word and commit themselves to observe it with perseverance to the end."

After praying the angelus, the Pope indicated that this morning too, on looking from his window, he had seen in the square "the multitude of people who, taking advantage of the last days of the Jubilee, wait patiently to enter the Basilica through the Holy Door. This is a sight that moves me and evokes in my mind the vision of the People of God marching towards the Promised Land. Christ is the true door that introduce us, His people, into the 'promised land' of heaven."

ANG;ST. STEPHEN; PEACE;...;...;VIS;20001228;Word: 300;