GENERAL AUDIENCE: THE LORD'S FIDELITY WILL NEVER LEAVE US

VATICAN CITY, JAN 8, 2003 (VIS) - Psalm 99, "The joy of those entering the temple", was the theme of the Holy Father's catechesis for the first general audience of the year 2003, celebrated in the Paul VI Hall.

After underlining that Psalm 99 "is a joyful invitation to praise the Lord, shepherd of his people", the Pope said that seven imperative verbs can be found: acclaim, serve, present oneself, recognize, cross the threshold, praise, bless. They exalt the bonds of alliance between God and Israel. Above all, true belonging to God is asserted."

John Paul II stated that "The first appeal is for the joyous acclamation by the entire world in the singing of praise to the Creator." The verbs 'serve', 'present oneself', 'cross the threshold' "describe the different gestures made by the faithful when they enter a sanctuary of Zion to take part in community prayer," he continued.

He mentioned that "The verb 'recognize' expresses the content of the profession of faith to the only God. We must proclaim that only 'the Lord is God', battling all idolatry and all pride and human power opposed to Him. The end of the other verbs, 'praise' and 'bless', is also the 'name' of the Lord, His person, His saving presence."

The Holy Father concluded by pointing out that the Psalm ends with "a solemn exaltation to God, a sort of profession of faith: the Lord is good and His faithfulness will never abandon us, because He will always be ready to sustain us with His merciful love. This is how the person in prayer abandons himself to God's embrace."

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