VATICAN CITY, MAY 14, 2003 (VIS) - Continuing with his catechesis on the psalms, in today's general audience, celebrated in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke about the Canticle of the Book of Daniel, "The Prayer of Azariah in the Furnace."
The canticle, said John Paul II before 25,000 persons, "is a prayer raised to the Lord with fervor and sincerity. It's the voice of Israel that is experiencing the hard trial of exile and diaspora among its peoples." Azariah, he continued, is condemned to death, along with two other faithful Jews, for not having renounced his faith.
"In this canticle, persecution is considered a just punishment with which God purifies sinful people. ... God is faithful and will fulfill His promises. Although justice requires Israel to be punished for its sins, there is certainty that the last word will be one of mercy and pardon."
The Holy Father went on to say that "the supplicant approaches the Lord, offering him the most precious and welcome sacrifice: 'a contrite heart' and a 'humble spirit'. It is precisely the center of our existence, the soul renewed by the sacrifice offered to the Lord so that He accepts it as a sign of conversion and consecration to good. With this interior disposition, there is no longer any fear, confusion and shame disappear and the spirit opens up to faith in a better future when the promises made to the fathers will be fulfilled."
"The final phrase of Azariah's prayer ... has a strong emotional impact and deep spiritual intensity: 'Now we follow you with all our heart, we fear you and we seek your face'. ... The moment has now come in which we abandon our evil and perverse ways, torturous paths and devious courses. We set out to follow the Lord moved by a desire to see His face."
AG;CANTICLE DANIEL;...;...;VIS;20030514;Word: 310;
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