2008-11-12 12:39:19

Pope says World in Need of Profound Change


(12 Nov 08 - RV) Pilgrims in St Peter’s Square wrapped themselves warm against the November chill this Wednesday as they greeted Pope Benedict XVI and prepared to hear the latest instalment in his lessons on St Paul. RealAudioMP3
This the ninth in the series was the second to focus on the Saint’s proclamation of Christ’s death and resurrection, linking this to his teaching on the Lord’s second coming:

“For Paul, the Lord’s return at the end of time will be accompanied by the resurrection of the dead and the consummation of his Kingdom, when all those who believed in him and trusted in his promises “will be with him for ever” in glory (cf. 1 Thess 4:17). Christ’s victorious reign has in fact already begun. Yet we, who have received the Spirit as the first fruits of our redemption, patiently await the fulfilment of that plan in our lives”.
 Pope Benedict told pilgrims that ''Without Christ’s presence we will never really have a truly just and renewed world":

''Our life in this world, marked by trials and tribulations, must be inspired by the hope of heaven and the expectation of our resurrection to glory. Paul’s rich eschatology, linking the “already” of Christ’s resurrection to the “not yet” of our life in this world, is reflected in his statement that “in hope we were saved” (Rom 8:24). This same joyful expectation of the Lord’s return and the fulfilment of the Father’s saving plan is seen in the ancient Christian prayer with which he concludes his first Letter to the Corinthians: Maranà, thà! Come, Lord Jesus!”

Concluding Pope Benedict remarked that “We do not want the end of the world, but we want the end of an unjust world, we want that this world change profoundly, that a civilisation of love begin, for a world of justice and peace, free of violence and fear”.

“How can this happen” Pope Benedict asked “without Christ?”.








All the contents on this site are copyrighted ©.