DAY OF ASSISI: SINCERE RESOLVE FOR JUSTICE AND FORGIVENESS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 23, 2002 (VIS) - In today's general audience which was held in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father spoke on chapter 36 of the Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) which contains a prayer for the holy people of God.

"There," said the Pope, "the first thing we find is an imploration to God to intervene in support of Israel and against the foreign nations that oppress her. ... The God of the Bible is not indifferent in the face of evil. ... He is on the side of the victims and appears as the stern judge of the violent, the oppressors and the victors who know no pity. However, His intervention is not aimed at destruction."

John Paul II affirmed that the second part of the hymn "makes no more reference to the enemy, but asks God's favor for Israel, it implores His mercy for the chosen people and for the holy city, Jerusalem."

"In the Bible, the lamentations of the suffering are never expended in desperation, but are always open to hope. At the basis lies the certainty that the Lord does not abandon His children, He does not let those He has made fall from His hands."

After extending greetings in various languages to the pilgrims who attended the audience, the Pope recalled that tomorrow he will travel to Assisi, together with representatives from other religions, for "a day dedicated to prayer for peace in the world. ... I trust that this initiative - apart from its spiritual effects which lie beyond human control - may contribute to orienting souls and decisions towards sincere and courageous resolutions of justice and forgiveness. If this comes about, we will have contributed to consolidating the foundations of authentic and lasting peace.

"Consequently, I invite the Catholic faithful to unite their prayers to those that tomorrow, at Assisi, we will raise together as Christians; at the same time cultivating feelings of warmth in their hearts for the followers of other religions who have come to Assisi to pray for peace."

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