VATICAN - The Pope comments on Psalm 123: “The Almighty sides with victims and the persecuted who cry to him day and night” - the Pope confirms convocation of 2nd Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Psalm 123 “is a hymn of thanksgiving raised by the whole community of worshippers who praise God for the gift of liberation … a hymn to thank the Lord for escaped dangers and to implore him to free them from all evil” the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI said this as he started his teaching on Psalm 123 - “Our help is in the name of the Lord” - vespers Monday week 3 (Ps 123,1-6.8) at the general audience in St Peter’s square this morning.
The first part of the Psalm speaks of “spreading waters, a symbol for the Bible of devastating chaos, evil and death - the Pope explained -. The psalmist feels he is on the shore miraculously saved from the impetuous fury of the sea. Human life is surrounded by the snares of the evil who not only attack life but wish also to destroy human values. So the Lord rises to protect the just and save them”.
The second part presents a scene of hunting. When it portrays a beast holding its prey in its jaws, the psalm expresses a blessing: “the destiny of the faithful which was a destiny of death has been radically changed by an intervention of redemption”. Even when human hope fails, the liberating power of God is evident. “The psalm can therefore close with a profession of faith, assumed centuries ago by Christian liturgy as an ideal premise of our prayer: «Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini, qui fecit caelum et terram - Our help is in the name of the Lord; He made heaven and earth» . In particular the Almighty sides with the victims and the persecuted «why cry to him day and night » and «he will do justice without delay ».”
Greeting the different groups after giving his catechesis, the Holy Father confirmed the decision to convoke a 2nd Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa: “I greet the members of the Special Council for Africa of the Synod of Bishop meeting at the general secretariat here in Rome. Confirming the decision taken by my venerable Predecessor on 13 November last year I wish to announce my intention to convoke a 2nd Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa. I am confident that this Assembly will give ulterior impulse to evangelisation in Africa and the consolidation and growth of the Church and to promote reconciliation and peace.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2005, righe 28, parole 421)