VATICAN CITY, 5 JUL 2009 (VIS) - At midday today, before praying the Angelus, Benedict XVI recalled how the first Sunday of July was once dedicated to devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Christ, a tradition confirmed "by Blessed John XXIII who, in his Apostolic Letter 'Inde a primis' of 30 June 1960, explained its significance and approved its litanies".
Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope pointed out that "the theme of blood, associated with that of the Pascal Lamb, is of primary importance in Sacred Scripture", and he recalled Christ's words at the Last Supper: "this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins".
"It is written in Genesis that the blood of Abel killed by his brother Cain calls to God from the earth. Unfortunately, today as yesterday, this cry has not ceased as human blood continues to flow because of violence, injustice and hatred. When will men learn that life is sacred and belongs only to God? When will they understand that we are all brothers? To the cry for spilt blood which rises from so many parts of the earth, God responds with the blood of His Son Who gave His life for us. Christ did not respond to evil with evil, but with good, with His infinite love.
"The Blood of Christ is the pledge of God's faithful love for humankind. By gazing at the wounds of the crucified Christ each man, even in conditions of abject moral poverty, can say: 'God has not abandoned me, He loves me, He gave his life for me', and thus rediscover hope".
After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father spoke of the recent train accident in the Italian city of Viareggio which killed twenty-two people and injured many others. "I join the suffering of those who have lost loved ones, of the injured and of poeple who have suffered material loss", he said. "While raising heartfelt prayers to God for everyone involved in this tragedy, I express the hope that such incidents may not be repeated and that safety in the workplace and in daily life may be guaranteed".
The Pope concluded by deploring "this morning's attack in Cotabato, Philippines, where the explosion of a bomb in front of the cathedral during the celebration of Sunday Mass left a number of dead and many injured, including women and children. As I pray to God for the victims of this ignoble act, I once again raise my voice to condemn the use of violence, which is never a just solution to problems".
ANG/BLOOD CHRIST VIAREGGIO COTABATO/... VIS 20090706 (450)
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