December 04, 2013 - Pope Francis held his weekly general audience on Wednesday, continuing
his catechesis of last week on the resurrection of the body. The public meeting is
an opportunity for pilgrims and tourists visiting Rome to see and hear the Pope, and
also receive his blessing. The general audience of Dec. 4 was held in the open,
in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square. It began with aides reading a passage from the Gospel
of John, in several languages. Listen:
Basing
himself on the scripture passage, Pope Francis delivered his main discourse
in Italian - summaries of which were read out by aides in various languages, including
in English. But first, the aide greeted the Pope on behalf of the English-speaking
pilgrims. Listen:
…
Dear Brothers and Sisters: we return to our reflection on “the resurrection
of the body”, as we look at three aspects of the relationship between Christ’s resurrection
and our own. First, the Gospel reveals to us that our faith in the resurrection is
bound to the person of Jesus Christ, who himself said “I am the resurrection and the
life”. Like us in all things but sin, Christ gathers us to himself so that we may
accompany him in his journey back to the Father. The Risen Christ gives his disciples
the Holy Spirit as a pledge of communion with God which has its fullness in eternity.
The anticipation of eternal life is the source and reason for our hope. If cultivated
and protected, it illuminates our lives as persons and communities. Second, Christ
rose in his glorified body. Through Christ, our bodies will also be glorified and
reunited with our souls at the resurrection. Therefore, our experience of the Risen
Christ in the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, prepares us for the reunion
of our bodies and souls in heaven. Third, while Jesus will resurrect us at the end
of time, even now he wishes us to share in his resurrection. Through Baptism, we
are inserted into his death and resurrection and begin to experience new life. The
seed of eternity is planted within us. Hence, the image of eternity is imprinted
on us and calls us to respect the lives of all people, especially those who suffer.
In this way, we can experience the closeness of the Reign of God, towards which we
all journey together.
Pope Francis then greeted the English-speaking
pilgrims in Italian. Listen:
… I offer an affectionate greeting to all the English-speaking pilgrims and
visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from England, Denmark, Australia
and the United States. Upon you and your families I invoke God’s blessings of joy
and peace! (BLESSING)