Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The beginning of Christ's public mission narrated by St Mark the Evangelist in the liturgy of the Word for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, is marked by preaching of the Kingdom and healing the sick, “to show that the Kingdom is near, indeed it has come in our midst”. This was how the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI introduced the midday Angelus prayer from his study window overlooking St Peter's Square on Sunday 27 January. The Prophet Isaiah foretold that the people of Galilee would see a great light, the light of Christ and his Gospel. The Pope then explained that “the word ‘gospel’, in the time of Jesus, was used by the Roman Emperors for their proclamations. Whatever their contents these proclamations were called ‘good news, that is, announcements of salvation, because the emperor was considered the Lord of the world and his edicts, bearers of wellbeing: God, not the emperor, is the Lord of the world, and the true Gospel is that of Jesus Christ.”
Commenting the expression “The Kingdom of God- or the Kingdom of Heaven- is near” (Mt 4,17; Mk 1,15), Benedict XVI remarked that this does not refer to “an earthly kingdom limited in space and time, instead it announces that God reigns, that God is Lord and His lordship is present, it is happening. The newness of the message of Christ is therefore that in Him God is near, He reigns in our midst, as his miracles and work of healing reveal”. The Holy Father continued: “God's lordship is revealed in integral healing of the person. Jesus wishes to reveal the face of the true God, a God who is near, full of mercy for every human person; God who gives us life in abundance, His own life. The kingdom of God is therefore life which becomes apparent after death, the light of truth which dispels the shadows of mistruth”. The Pope concluded this part of his address urging those present to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede that "the Church may always have the same passion for the Kingdom of God which inspired the mission of Jesus Christ: passion for God, for His lordship of love and life; passion for man, encountered in truth with a desire to offer him the most precious of treasures: the love of God, Creator and Father ”.
After the Marian prayer, Benedict XVI greeted about 2,000 children of Catholic Action present in St Peter's Square at the end of the annual Catholic Action Month for Peace. “Two of you - the Pope said - are here with me. They have presented me with a message and in a moment they will help me release two doves as symbols of peace. Dear young friends, I know how committed you are to helping less fortunate children who suffer because of war and poverty. Continue along the path Jesus indicated for building true peace!” The Holy Father then mentioned that it was World Leprosy Day, started 55 years ago by Raoul Follereau: “To all those who suffer from this disease I send affectionate greetings assuring them of special prayers which I extend to those who work in various ways to assist them, especially volunteers of the Association of the Friends of Raoul Follereau” he concluded (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 28/1/2008; righe 37, parole 576).
