VATICAN CITY, JAN 31, 2001 (VIS) - The theme of John Paul II's catechesis for today's general audience, held this morning in the Paul VI Hall, was: "Towards New Heavens and a New Earth."
"In the midst of the weaknesses, miseries, violence, and injustices of the human story," the Holy Father said, "Christians look forward in hope to an ultimate future of freedom and peace."
John Paul II stated that "this new creation, human and cosmic," of which the second letter of St. Peter speaks, "is begun with the Resurrection of Christ, first fruit of that transfiguration to which we are all destined." Certainly, he added, "it is a perspective of faith which can sometimes be tempted by doubt, in man who lives in history under the weight of evil, contradictions and death."
The Holy Father went on to affirm that there are some who are convinced "that every effort is destined to be thwarted, that God is absent and disinterested in this tiny speck of the universe which is the earth." In this way many men and women are "devoid of faith, indifferent to everything, incapable of fighting and hoping.
"To those tempted to surmise apocalyptic scenarios of invasion of the Kingdom of God, and to close their eyes (which are) heavy with the slumber of indifference, Christ proposes the noiseless arrival of the new heavens and new earth. ... He respects the freedom of humanity, supports it when seized by despair, leads it step by step, and invites it to collaborate in the plan of truth, justice, and peace of the Kingdom."
John Paul II ended his catechesis by affirming that "the Christian must also express his hope within the structure of secular life." The Holy Father, recalling Vatican II, said "'The mission of the Church is not only bringing the message of Christ and His grace to men, but also permeating and perfecting the order of temporal reality with the evangelical spirit'."
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