Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Canticle with the title “The freely undertaken passion of Christ Servant of God”, second vespers of Sunday, week 2 (reading: cfr 1Pt 2,21-24), was the subject of Pope John Paul II’s teaching at the Wednesday Audience in St Peter’s Square for which the Holy Father travelled by car from Castel Gandolfo.
Listening to this canticle “we have vividly before our eyes the profile of the face of the suffering Christ” the Pope said, “this was true of the readers of that Letter in the early Christian times, so it is has been for centuries during the liturgical proclamation of the Word of God and in personal meditation. The thoughts of Peter and of the faithful who recite this hymn especially in the liturgy of Vespers during Lent, turn to the Servant of Jahveh described in the famous fourth song in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. He is a mysterious person, interpreted by Christianity in a messianic and Christological key because he anticipates the details and the significance of the Passion of Christ”.
Christ walks towards his passion, “not opposing injustice and violence, without complaint or lamentation ”, demonstrating “courageous confidence, destined to serve as an example for all his disciples who will walk the dark path of trial and persecution... Christ is presented as the Saviour, united with us in his human «body»... But he is always the Son of God and his union with us is radically transforming, liberating, expiating and saving”. Thus our poor humanity is saved from the deviated and perverse ways of evil and restored to «justice», that is to the wonderful plan of God. The final phrase of the canticle is particularly moving. It says: «By his wounds we are healed». Here we see the great price which Christ paid for our healing!” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2004 - Righe 21; Parole 294)
