GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN FREE US FROM EVIL AND DEATH

VATICAN CITY, NOV 27, 2002 (VIS) - Psalm 98, "Holy is the Lord, Our God," was the theme of the Pope's catechesis during the general audience celebrated today in the Paul VI Hall.

John Paul II explained that Psalm 98 "is a hymn raised by the people of God to the Lord Who governs the world and history as transcendent and supreme sovereign."

"The faithful, at the beginning of the day," he said, "know that they will not be abandoned to the mercy of a blind and dark fate, or destined to uncertainty as to their freedom, or left to the decisions of others, or dominated by the events of history. They know that the Creator and Savior rises in His grandeur, holiness and mercy above of all earthly realities."

The Holy Father affirmed that "God is superior to us and He is infinitely above all creatures. However, this transcendence does not make Him a strange and impassive God: when He is invoked, He responds. God is the One Who saves, the only one who can free humanity from evil and death."

After underscoring the profound link between "'holiness' and God's closeness", the Psalmist recalls that "God was continually in contact with His people" and that "He spoke and was listened to, punished wrongs, but also forgave."

"God came in our midst," he ended, "through His Son Who became one of us in order to instill His life and His holiness in us. For this reason, we approach God not with terror but with trust. In Christ we have the supreme holy priest, innocent, undefiled. ... Thus, our hymn is filled with serenity and joy: it exalts the Lord king who dwells among us, wiping away every tear from our eyes."

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