VATICAN - The Pope’s teaching at the general audience: “God’s love becomes concrete and almost tangible in history and all its vicissitudes bitter and glorious”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - In his teaching this morning at the general audience Pope Benedict XVI dwelt on the first part of psalm 134 (134,1-12 - “Praise the Lord for his wondrous works” - vespers Friday week 3), “a liturgical hymn interwoven with allusions, reminiscences and references to other biblcal texts”. The first section opens with a passionate call to praise God. “We are therefore in the atmosphere of worship in the temple, the privileged place for community prayer - the Pope explained - and where it is possible to experience effectively the presence of our God, a good and loving God, the God of vocation and Covenant”.
After the call to praise, a soloist voice proclaims the profession of faith. “Divine omnipotence is continually revealed in the whole world, in heaven, on earth, in the sea and in the depths … But it is above all another divine aspect which is celebrated in this profession of faith. The wonderful intervention in history where the Creator reveals himself as redeemer of his people and sovereign of the world. The great events of the exodus pass before the eyes of Israel in prayer”. So we have the plagues of Egypt, Israel’s victory after the wandering in the desert and at last the long desired destination, the promised land. “God’s love becomes concrete and almost tangible in history and all its vicissitudes bitter and glorious - said Benedict XVI -. The task of the liturgy is to render God’s gifts ever present and effective, above all in the great Passover celebration which is the origin of all solemnities and constitutes a supreme emblem of freedom and salvation.”
At the end of the audience the Pope greeted different groups including “priests staying at the pontifical colleges of St Paul, St Peter, St Francis of Assisi and Pio Brasiliano who have come from various countries to study at Pontifical Universities in Rome” and he urged them: “use wisely the time you spend in the eternal City so you may return to your countries with the sound spiritual and theological formation necessary for the apostolic task awaiting you.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 28/9/2005, righe 26, parole 377)