On this second Sunday of Lent, Pope Benedict began his day with a visit to the Roman
parish of John the Baptist de la Salle, south of the capital. The Holy Father celebrated
mass and met parishioners including a group of children. He told them to learn about
Jesus, the things he did, said and how he suffered. He also told them to learn about
the church and the sacraments.
Sunday 4th of March is also the feast
of the Transfiguration and on his return to the Vatican Pope Benedict focused on this
event during is Angelus address.
The Pope explained to those gathered in St
Peter’s Square that there are essential elements involved when Jesus is transfigured
before the apostles, they are the light and the voice: the divine light that shines
on the face of Jesus, and the voice of the Heavenly Father who speaks to him.
The
Holy Father went on to say that with the mystery of the Transfiguration Jesus is being
directed toward the fulfillment of his mission, knowing that in order to attain resurrection,
he will undergo suffering and death on a cross.
The Pope also explained that
Jesus takes his friends with him to the mountain because he wants to give them the
most intimate experience of this light, dwelling in Him, so that after this event,
he will be their inner light, and will be able to protect them from the assaults of
darkness.
Jesus is the light that never goes out said the Pope Benedict.
Following
the recitation of the Angelus the Pope spoke to the faithful in an number of languages.
In English, the Holy Father expressed the hope that those sacrifices made
during Lent would lead people to experience an renewal of the light of Christ. Listen
to Lydia O'Kane's report