LIFE AND HUMAN HISTORY ARE IN THE HANDS OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, NOV 18, 2001 (VIS) - At 9:30 a.m. today, John Paul II visited the parish of St. Alexis, north of Rome, where he celebrated Mass. Commenting on the Gospel, the Pope recalled that the words of Jesus concerning the ultimate realities "eliminate from our hearts every form of fear and anguish, opening us to the consoling certainty that life and the history of men, despite often dramatic devastations, remain firmly in the hands of God."

The Holy Father asked the groups and associations which form the parish community to "journey together and generously offer your contribution to the permanent diocesan Mission. In the face of negative messages, conveyed by certain cultural modes of contemporary society, may you be builders of hope and missionaries of Christ everywhere.

"Is not this perhaps the pastoral program of our diocese? But in order for the Spirit of Christ to penetrate everywhere, it is necessary to strengthen a detailed and organic ministry for vocations. It is necessary to educate families and youth in prayer and in making their very existence a gift for others."

John Paul II invited the parishioners to ask every day: "Lord, what do You wish me to do? What is Your will for us as a family, as parents, as children? What do You expect of me, as a youth who is open to life and wants to live with You and for you? Only in responding to these personal and involved questions, can you fully realize the will of God, and be 'light' and 'salt' which illuminate and give flavor to this our beloved city."

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