Pope Benedict XVI Opens XII Assembly of Synod of Bishops

(05 Oct 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI opened the 12th general ordinary assembly of the synod of bishops on Sunday at the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls.

For three weeks, more than 250 synod fathers will prayerfully reflect and discuss "The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church," together with lay and religious auditors from around the world, and with the help of many experts in the sacred sciences.

The choice of St. Paul Outside the Walls as the venue for the opening was made in light of the Pauline Year, which is currently underway.

Pope Benedict began his homily with a reflection on this Sunday’s Gospel reading, in which the Lord recounts the parable of the landlord, whose tenants mistreat his servants and kill his son.

The Pope said the Gospel reading applies to our own way of thinking and acting; it applies especially to those peoples who have received the proclamation of the Gospel.

If we look at history, continued Pope Benedict, we are forced to recognize that it is not rare for inconsistent Christians to be cold and rebellious.

The Holy Father went on to note how in our day, nations that at one time were rich in faith and vocations are losing their identity, under the harmful and destructive influence of a certain modern culture.

The Pope said there are those who, having decided that 'God is dead', declare themselves 'gods', believing themselves the sole creators of their own destiny and the absolute owners of the world.

In casting off God, said Pope Benedict, man believes that he can do whatever he likes and set himself up as the sole measure of himself and his action, and as daily events abundantly demonstrate – man’s rejection of God brings the expansion of arbitrary power, unbridled pursuit of selfish interest, injustice, ruthless exploitation, and all manner of violence.

In the end, man finds himself more alone, and society is more divided and confused.

Pope Benedict told the faithful that there is a promise in the words of Jesus: the vineyard will not be destroyed.

Although he leaves the unfaithful keepers of the vineyard to their fate, the owner does not abandon his vineyard, and he entrusts it to other servants, who are faithful.

The Holy Father said this indicates that, if in some regions faith becomes weak to the point of disappearing, there will always be other peoples ready to accept it."

"The message of consolation that we take from these biblical texts," said Pope Benedict, "is the certainty that evil and death do not have the last word. It is Christ who triumphs in the end. Always!

Pope Benedict spoke of the Gospel reading in connection with the Synod, saying the Church does not tire of proclaiming this Good News, as is taking place now, in this basilica dedicated to the apostle of the Gentiles, who was the first to spread the Gospel in the vast regions of Asia Minor and Europe.

The Holy Father called on the synod fathers and all those present to renew this proclamation during all of the 12th general ordinary assembly of the synod, and asked God to help the participants examine how to make the proclamation of the Gospel increasingly effective in our time."

The synod was the focus of the words Pope Benedict XVI addressed to the 20 thousand faithful present in St. Peter's Square for the recitation of the Angelus. It is, he said, "an assembly of the bishops chosen to represent the entire episcopate, and called together to assist the successor of Peter, demonstrating and at the same time reinforcing ecclesial communion. The Pope asked all the faithful to support the work of the synod with prayers, invoking in a special way the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, the perfect Disciple of the Divine Word."