VATICAN - The Pope’s weekly teaching at the general audience: God is Judge, but he is also Saviour; he condemns evil and rewards fidelity and justice but above all love..

Wednesday, 26 May 2004

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “In this prayer we hear the pulsing hearts of the just who await in hope the coming of the Lord to render more luminous the vicissitudes of humanity often immersed in the shadows of sin, falsity and violence”. This was part of Pope John Paul’s reflection during the general weekly audience on May 26 in St Peter’s Square on the Canticle “God’s judgement” (Vespers Thursday 1st week; reading: Rev 11,17; 12,10.12). The 24 elders of the heavenly court who represent the just of the Old and New Covenant sing a hymn in which they “adore God, sovereign of the world and of history, ready to establish his reign of justice, love and truth”. Two are the aspects of this heavenly intervention which also describe the face of God,: God “is Judge, but he is also Saviour; condemns evil and rewards fidelity and justice but above all love.”
The hymn also presents a magnificent scene of Revelation in which there is a battle between good and evil, the Church and Satan. “Suddenly a heavenly voice is heard announcing the defeat of the «Accuser»... Now the satanic dragon is silenced and at the root of its defeat is the blood of the Lamb, the passion and death of Christ the Redeemer. The martyrdom of Christians is associated with his victory. There is intimate sharing in the redeeming work of the Lamb on the part of the faithful whose ‘love for life did not deter them from death.” Il canticle closes with an invitation to the entire choir of angels to join the hymn of joy for salvation. “We join with that voice in giving joyful thanks filled with hope- the Pope concluded -, even in the midst of the trials which mark our journey towards glory.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 26/5/2004 - Righe 20; Parole 291)


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