VATICAN - Conclusion of the Spiritual Exercises at the Vatican: “You have shown us where Jesus dwells: in His Church, His Word, the Most Holy Eucharist.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Spiritual Exercises held in the presence of the Holy Father Benedict XVI, ended at 9am on Saturday, March 7, in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, with the singing of Laudes and the Final Meditation. This year, the meditations were given by Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, on the theme of: “The priest meets Jesus and follows Him.”
At the conclusion of the Exercises, the Holy Father briefly addressed those present, thanking Cardinal Arinze. “At this time, I would like to – on behalf of all of us and all of you, offer you my heartfelt thank you, to Your Eminence, to these meditations that you have given us,” the Holy Father said. “You have guided, enlightened, and helped renew us in our priesthood. You have not given us theological acrobatics, but you have given us sound doctrine, the good bread of our faith."
Quoting a prophesy from the Prophet Ezekiel, where “the Lord, God the Shepherd, tells the people: 'I will lead my sheep upon the hills of Israel, in green pastures',” Saint Augustine asks himself where these hills of Israel are, and what are these green pastures. “And he says: the hills of Israel, the green pastures are the Sacred Scripture, the Word of God that gives us true sustenance.” The Holy Father continued: “Your preaching has been permeated by Sacred Scripture, with a great familiarity with the Word of God read in the context of the living Church, by the Fathers up to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, always contextualized in reading, in the liturgy. This is how the Scripture has been present in complete relevance. Your theology, as you have told us, has not been an abstract theology, but has been one marked by a healthy realism. I have admired and enjoyed this concrete experience of your 50 years of priesthood, which you spoke of and at the light of which you have helped us to concretize our faith. You have given us the right, concrete words for our lives, for our manner of acting as priests. And I hope that many others will also read these words and take them to heart.”
Lastly, Benedict XVI highlighted the need to “walk and follow Jesus, who always precedes us. Only in walking and following Jesus can we see. You have shown us where Jesus dwells: in His Church, His Word, the Most Holy Eucharist.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 9/3/2009)