VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI’s teaching at the Wednesday general audience: “The plan of salvation is totally fulfilled in the Son, and the faithful are invited - especially in the liturgy - to proclaim it and to reap its fruits."

Wednesday, 26 October 2005

Vatican City (Fides Service) - At the general audience this morning held in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI welcomed a crowd of about 50,000 visitors. In his teaching the Pope speak on the subject of the Canticle from the Letter to the Philippians, "Christ, Servant of God." Benedict XVI explained how the text contains "a double movement." The first highlights Christ's sacrifice "even to the humiliation of death on the Cross," the second "reveals Christ's paschal glory which, following death, reappears in the splendour of His divine majesty." The Father "exalts" the Son, said the Pope, and such exaltation "is expressed not only by His enthronement at the right hand of God, but also by bestowing on Christ 'the name which is above every name,' ... the most exalted 'name,' that of 'Lord,' which belongs to God Himself."
"In this hymn," the Holy Father went on, "the reference to the scandal of the cross ... culminates with the event of the resurrection. The Son's sacrificial obedience is followed by the Father's glorifying response, echoed by the adoration of humanity and creation. ... The plan of salvation is totally fulfilled in the Son, and the faithful are invited - especially in the liturgy - to proclaim it and to reap its fruits."
Benedict XVI concluded by recalling that October, the month dedicated to the Rosary, is drawing to a close. "I invite you to recite with devotion this prayer, so dear to Christian people. Let us pray for the many needs of the Church and the world, especially for people hit by earthquakes and by physical and environmental calamities. May spiritual and material support for people in difficulty never be lacking.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 26/10/2005, righe 25, parole 376)


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