VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2002 (VIS) - Psalm eight, "Majesty of the Lord and dignity of man", was the theme of the catechesis of the Holy Father during the general audience celebrated this morning in the Paul VI Hall.
John Paul II explained that Psalm eight is "a celebration of man, an insignificant creature in comparison with the immensity of the universe", yet which has been "'crowned' by God himself."
At the beginning of the hymn, he affirmed, the Lord appears, "whose glory is sung by the heavens, as well as by the lips of man. The praise that spontaneously emanates from the lips of children abolishes and obscures the arrogant discourse of those who deny God."
The Pope said that in the face of the question "What is man?," the first and immediate response speaks of nullity, in relation to the immensity of the heavens as well as, above all, respect for the majesty of the Creator. ... But here is the great surprise: that God has given stupendous dignity to man, a weak creature: he made them only slightly inferior to the angels."
After underlining that God has destined man "to a universal seniority", he said: "He has given the whole horizon of creation to the fragile and frequently selfish hands of human beings, so that they may preserve its harmony and beauty, use not abuse, discover secrets and develop potential."
"Unfortunately," the Holy Father added, "the dominion of man, affirmed in Psalm eight, can be misunderstood and distorted by the selfish man, who is more frequently revealed in crazy tyranny than in wise and intelligent government. ... History documents the evil that human freedom spreads in the world with environmental devastation and the most clamorous social injustice."
John Paul II concludes by affirming that "in contrast to man who humiliates his equals and creation, Christ is perfect man. ... He reigns over the universe with that dominion of peace and love that prepares the new world, the new heavens and the new earth."
AG;PSALM 8;...;...;VIS;20020626;Word: 340;
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