VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2001 (VIS) - In today's general audience, held in St. Peter's Square before 23,000 faithful, the Holy Father gave a commentary upon the Canticle of the Book of Daniel, which the Liturgy of the Hours includes in the Lord's Day Praises.
John Paul II recalled that this litany is a symphony in which creation gives thanks to God, "Creator of the universe and Lord of history. Recited in the light of Christian revelation, it is directed to the Trinitarian God."
"The hymn is presented as the thanksgiving raised by three young Israelites - Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael - condemned to death in a fiery furnace, for having refused to worship the golden statue of Nebuchadnezzar, but miraculously preserved from the flames. ... Their faithfulness is answered by the faithfulness of God, who sends an angel to keep the flames from them." The Pope added that the Church relates the liberation of the three youths with the resurrection of Jesus.
The Pope emphasized that "singing this hymn on Sunday morning, the Christian feels gratitude not only for the gift of creation, but also for receiving God's paternal solicitude, which in Christ has elevated man to the dignity of Son. It is a paternal solicitude," the Holy Father concluded, "which causes man to look at creation with new eyes and appreciate its beauty, in which is glimpsed, as if a delicate imprint, the love of God."
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