Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nazareth (Agenzia Fides) – At 5:30 on May 14, the Holy Father Benedict XVI presided the Celebration of Vespers with the Bishops, priests, religious, and religious movements of Galilee, in the Upper Basilica of the Shrine of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
“It is profoundly moving for me to be present with you today in the very place where the Word of God was made flesh and came to dwell among us,” the Pope said in his homily. “How fitting that we should gather here to sing the Evening Prayer of the Church, giving praise and thanks to God for the marvels he has done for us!”...What happened here in Nazareth, far from the gaze of the world, was a singular act of God, a powerful intervention in history, through which a child was conceived who was to bring salvation to the whole world. The wonder of the Incarnation continues to challenge us to open up our understanding to the limitless possibilities of God’s transforming power, of his love for us, his desire to be united with us. Here the eternally begotten Son of God became man, and so made it possible for us, his brothers and sisters, to share in his divine sonship.”
Mentioning the Gospel passage of the Annunciation, the Pope highlighted that “when our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived in Mary’s virginal womb through the power of the Holy Spirit, God united himself with our created humanity, entering into a permanent new relationship with us and ushering in a new Creation.” God “does not impose himself, he does not simply pre-determine the part that Mary will play in his plan for our salvation: he first seeks her consent. In the original Creation there was clearly no question of God seeking the consent of his creatures, but in this new Creation he does so. Mary stands in the place of all humanity. She speaks for us all when she responds to the angel’s invitation.”
Mary's affirmative response began “a new and definitive chapter in world history,” the Pope said. “And the Word of God became flesh. When we reflect on this joyful mystery, it gives us hope, the sure hope that God will continue to reach into our history, to act with creative power so as to achieve goals which by human reckoning seem impossible. It challenges us to open ourselves to the transforming action of the Creator Spirit who makes us new, makes us one with him, and fills us with his life. It invites us, with exquisite courtesy, to consent to his dwelling within us, to welcome the Word of God into our hearts, enabling us to respond to him in love and to reach out in love towards one another.”
The Holy Father then reflected on the current situation of the Christian minority in the State of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, as it “calls to mind that of the young virgin Mary, who led a hidden life in Nazareth, with little by way of worldly wealth or influence.” He continued: “Draw strength from Mary’s canticle, which very soon we will be singing in union with the whole Church throughout the world! Have the confidence to be faithful to Christ and to remain here in the land that he sanctified with his own presence! Like Mary, you have a part to play in God’s plan for salvation, by bringing Christ forth into the world, by bearing witness to him and spreading his message of peace and unity...Your unity in faith, hope and love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, enabling you to be effective instruments of God’s peace, helping to build genuine reconciliation between the different peoples who recognize Abraham as their father in faith.” At the end of the Vespers Celebration, the Holy Father returned to the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 15/5/2009)
