VATICAN - The Pope’s weekly teaching at the general audience: “The Church on earth harmonises her song of praise with that of the just who already contemplate the glory of God. This builds a channel of communication between history and eternity”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - In his address to visitors who had come for the general audience on September 15, Pope John Paul II continued his comment on the liturgy and he said: “The Church on earth harmonises her song of praise with that of the just who already contemplate the glory of God. This builds a channel of communication between history and eternity: it has its point of departure in the earthly liturgy of the ecclesial community and its point of arrival in that of heaven where our brothers and sisters who have preceded us in faith are already.” Speaking to the thousands of people gathered in St Peter’s Square the Pope focused his teaching on the Canticle “The Wedding of the Lamb”, 2nd Vespers of Sunday of week two 2 (cfr Rev. 19,1-7).
This song of praise intercalated with the «alleluia», celebrates substantially three themes: the transcendence and almighty power of salvation of God (“the prayer is contemplation of the divine glory, the ineffable mystery, the ocean of light and love which is God”); God’s plan to redeem mankind (history “is entrusted to human freedom which generates good and evil, but has its ultimate seal in the decisions of divine providence”); the nuptial encounter between the Lamb, that is Christ and the purified and transfigured bride which is redeemed humanity: “the expression «this is the wedding of the Lamb» refers to the supreme - as the text says «nuptial» - moment of intimate union of creature and Creature, in the joy and peace of salvation” the Pope explained.
Pope John Paul II concluded his teaching quoting Saint Augustine and his illustration of the spiritual significance of the Alleluia: «In unison we sing this word, united around it in communion of sentiments, we encourage one another to praise God. However God can only be praised by those with a clear conscience who have done nothing to displease him. Moreover, with regard to the present in which we are pilgrims, we sing the Alleluia as consolation that we may be fortified on our way; the Alleluia which we pronounce here is like the song of the traveller; nevertheless, walking this difficult path we are on our way to that homeland where we will find rest, where all the tasks we are engaged in now will disappear and only the Alleluia will remain». (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/9/2004 - Righe 25; Parole 362)