Pope Benedict: Look to the light of Christ not the light of commericalism
Pope Benedict began his Sunday at the Roman parish of Santa Maria delle Grazie where
he celebrated Mass and underlined the importance of community spirit. He also referred
to the season of Advent which was a theme he returned to back at the Vatican for the
recitation of the Angelus.
He told the faithful in St Peter’s Square that Christians
were called to live this period before Christmas without being distracted by commercial
messages and by the festive lights even if low key as a result of the economic crisis.
Instead, he continued, they should look to Christ the “true light of the world”.
In
this season, he said “ we should live waiting for Jesus, and not stop waiting for
his coming.”
As is tradition on this particular Sunday of Advent, thousands
of children with their parents gathered in St Peter’s Square for the traditional blessing
of the “bambinelli” or little baby Jesus’ statuettes that are put in the crib.
To
the children the Holy Father had a special message. “Dear children,” he said, “when
you pray in front of your Nativity scene, remember me as well, as I remember you.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!”
Reflecting on this Sunday’s liturgy called
“Gaudete” the Pope said, it was an invitation to a joyful and not a sad watchfulness.
The
essence of true joy underlined the Pope is not having fun in order to divert ourselves
from our responsibilities, which at times is important, but it is something much more,
it is our ability to have a true relationship with God.
Finally, before his
greetings in a number of languages the Pope recalled the anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, and stressed that the first right is the right to life.
He
also welcomed the representatives of the Movement for Life, who are in Rome for the
‘Mother of Teresa prize’, which is awarded in memory of Chiara Lubich, founder of
the ‘Focolari’ Movement. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report