VATICAN CITY, 31 DEC 2010 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 6 p.m. today, the Pope presided at first Vespers for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. This was followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the singing of the traditional "Te Deum" of thanksgiving for the conclusion of the year, and the Eucharistic blessing.
In his homily the Holy Father explained how, "with the coming of Christ and His redemption we are 'at the fullness' of time. As St. Paul says, time comes to fullness in Jesus, it reaches its fulfilment, acquiring that significance of salvation and grace which God wished for it since before the creation of the world".
"Our human time", the Pope went on, "is loaded with evils, sufferings and dramas of every kind - from those caused by man's own wickedness to those deriving from adverse natural events - but it now contains, definitively and unchangeably, the joyful and liberating novelty of Christ the Saviour. In the Child of Bethlehem we can see, in a particularly luminous and eloquent way, the meeting of eternity and time, as the liturgy of the Church says".
The Church of Rome "is committed to helping all the baptised faithfully to live the vocation they received and to bear witness to the beauty of the faith. As we seek to be authentic disciples of Christ, essential support comes from daily meditation on the Word of God", said the Holy Father. In this context he also encouraged everyone "to cultivate an intense relationship with the Word, especially through 'lectio divina', in order to obtain the light necessary to discern the signs of God in our own time, and to proclaim the Gospel effectively".
"Assistance in this evangelising activity in Rome", Benedict XVI continued, "comes from the 'Centres for listening to the Gospel', which I suggest should be recreated or revitalised, not only in homes but also in hospitals and workplaces, and in the places where the new generations are formed and culture is created".
"The best place to listen to the word of God is in the celebration of the Eucharist. Last June's diocesan congress, in which I myself participated, chose to underline the centrality of Sunday Mass in the life of all Christian communities. ... I encourage pastors and priests to put the pastoral programme into effect: forming liturgical groups to enliven the celebration and offering a catechesis which helps everyone to a greater understanding of the Eucharistic mystery, from which the witness of charity comes".
The Pope concluded his homily by referring to "concerns about insecurity, which affect so many families and which call the entire diocesan community to draw close to people living in conditions of poverty and distress. May God, infinite love, enflame all our hearts with that charity which impelled Him to give His Only-begotten Son".
Following the celebration, the Pope made a brief visit to the nativity scene in St. Peter's Square.
HML/ VIS 20110103 (500)
In his homily the Holy Father explained how, "with the coming of Christ and His redemption we are 'at the fullness' of time. As St. Paul says, time comes to fullness in Jesus, it reaches its fulfilment, acquiring that significance of salvation and grace which God wished for it since before the creation of the world".
"Our human time", the Pope went on, "is loaded with evils, sufferings and dramas of every kind - from those caused by man's own wickedness to those deriving from adverse natural events - but it now contains, definitively and unchangeably, the joyful and liberating novelty of Christ the Saviour. In the Child of Bethlehem we can see, in a particularly luminous and eloquent way, the meeting of eternity and time, as the liturgy of the Church says".
The Church of Rome "is committed to helping all the baptised faithfully to live the vocation they received and to bear witness to the beauty of the faith. As we seek to be authentic disciples of Christ, essential support comes from daily meditation on the Word of God", said the Holy Father. In this context he also encouraged everyone "to cultivate an intense relationship with the Word, especially through 'lectio divina', in order to obtain the light necessary to discern the signs of God in our own time, and to proclaim the Gospel effectively".
"Assistance in this evangelising activity in Rome", Benedict XVI continued, "comes from the 'Centres for listening to the Gospel', which I suggest should be recreated or revitalised, not only in homes but also in hospitals and workplaces, and in the places where the new generations are formed and culture is created".
"The best place to listen to the word of God is in the celebration of the Eucharist. Last June's diocesan congress, in which I myself participated, chose to underline the centrality of Sunday Mass in the life of all Christian communities. ... I encourage pastors and priests to put the pastoral programme into effect: forming liturgical groups to enliven the celebration and offering a catechesis which helps everyone to a greater understanding of the Eucharistic mystery, from which the witness of charity comes".
The Pope concluded his homily by referring to "concerns about insecurity, which affect so many families and which call the entire diocesan community to draw close to people living in conditions of poverty and distress. May God, infinite love, enflame all our hearts with that charity which impelled Him to give His Only-begotten Son".
Following the celebration, the Pope made a brief visit to the nativity scene in St. Peter's Square.
HML/ VIS 20110103 (500)
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