At the end of the Holy Mass at Freiburg's touristic airport Sunday, Pope Benedict
XVI recited the Angelus prayer and reflected on the Virgin Mary's response to God's
call. The following is the text of his remarks:
Dear Brothers and Sisters! At
the end of this solemn celebration of holy Mass we now pray the Angelus together.
This prayer constantly reminds us of the historical beginnings of our salvation.
The Archangel Gabriel presents God’s plan of salvation to the Virgin Mary, by which
she was to become the Mother of the Redeemer. Mary was fearful, but the angel spoke
a word of comfort to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with
God.” So Mary is able to respond with her great “yes”. This “yes”, by which she
accepts to become the handmaid of the Lord, is the trusting “yes” to God’s plan, to
our salvation. And she finally addresses her “yes” to us all, whom she received as
her children entrusted to her at the foot of the Cross (cf. Jn 19:27). She never
withdraws this promise. And so she is called happy, or rather blessed, for believing
that what was promised her by the Lord would be fulfilled (cf. Lk 1:45). As we pray
the Angelus, we may join Mary in her “yes”, we may adhere trustingly to the beauty
of God’s plan and to the providence that he has assigned to us in his grace. Then
God’s love will also, as it were, take flesh in our lives, becoming ever more tangible.
In all our cares we need have no fear. God is good. At the same time we know that
we are sustained by the fellowship of the many believers who are now praying the Angelus
with us throughout the world, via radio and television.