2008-09-24 17:03:04

Pope Benedict XVI's Weekly General Audience


(24 Sep 08 - RV) Pope Benedict told the faithful gathered for his weekly general audience today that Christianity ''is not borne from a myth, but rather from a meeting with the person of Jesus." Lydia O’Kane reports...

Making the most of the Rome’s September Wednesday General moved out of doors to the familiar surroundings of St Peter’s Square.

Pope Benedict travelled by helicopter joining the thousands of pilgrims and tourists who had gathered to see him.


Following on from his catecheses of previous weekly the Holy Father again on Wednesday focused on the life of St Paul and his relationship with the Twelve Apostles.


In his letter to the Galatians, Paul speaks of his visits to Jerusalem where he consulted Peter, James and John, reputed to be the “pillars” of the Church. Paul’s mission to the Gentiles needed to be confirmed and guaranteed by those who had been disciples of Jesus during his earthly life, and they offered to him and to Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. Paul passed on the living tradition that he had received: the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, his death and resurrection, and his appearances to Peter and to the Twelve. Paul emphasizes that Jesus died “for our sins”, he offered himself to the Father in order to deliver us from sin and death.

He went on to say that Christianity '' is not borne from a myth, but rather' from a meeting with the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Risen Christ.

And now that Jesus has risen from the dead, he is living in his Church and in the Eucharist, where we continue to encounter him. Just as Paul’s teaching is rooted in his experience on the road to Damascus, and in his knowledge of Christ acquired through the Church, so too our faith is grounded, not on myths or pious legends, but on the words and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth, and on our encounter with the risen Lord, present in the life of his Church.

Towards the end of his audience the Pope had warm words of welcome for English speaking visitors including new students from the Venerable English College here in Rome.

I offer a warm welcome to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors here today, including the choir from New Zealand and the groups from Britain and Ireland, Scandinavia, Africa, Australia and the Far East. I greet in particular the new students from the Venerable English College and the priests from Ireland who are taking part in a renewal course. May your pilgrimage renew your faith in Christ present in his Church, after the example of the Apostle Saint Paul. May God bless you all! RealAudioMP3







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