VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI in Turkey - Holy Mass at Meryem Ana Evì Shrine: “from here in Ephesus, a city blessed by the presence of Mary Most Holy, let us lift up to the Lord a special prayer for peace among peoples”

Ephesus (Fides Service) - On November 29 in the morning Pope Benedict XVI went to Ephesus to celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Meryem Ana Evì (House of Mother Mary) from where he launched a heartfelt call for peace. In his homily the Pope said “From here in Ephesus, a city blessed by the presence of Mary Most Holy - who we know is loved and venerated also by Muslims - let us lift up to the Lord a special prayer for peace between peoples. From this edge of the Anatolian peninsula, a natural bridge between continents, let us implore peace and reconciliation, above all for those dwelling in the Land called “Holy” and considered as such by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike: it is the land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, destined to be the home of a people that would become a blessing for all the nations (cf. Gen 12:1-3). Peace for all of humanity!!... We all need this universal peace; and the Church is called to be not only the prophetic herald, but even more, the “sign and instrument” of this peace. Against the backdrop of universal peace, the yearning for full communion and concord between all Christians becomes even more profound and intense”.
At the beginning of his homily Pope Benedict XVI explained the reason for the celebration: “to praise the Lord for Mary’s divine motherhood, a mystery solemnly confessed and proclaimed in Ephesus at the Ecumenical Council of 431.” In this place, so dear to the Christian community, the Servants of God Paul VI and John Paul II who came as pilgrims, and Papal Representative Angelo Roncalli now Blessed John XXIII, the Holy Father thanked the people “for your presence, your witness and your service to the Church in this blessed land.”
Referring to Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, the Holy Father said “Mary’s motherhood, which began with her fiat in Nazareth, is fulfilled at the foot of the Cross… Looking down from the Cross at his Mother and the beloved disciple by her side, the dying Christ recognized the first fruits of the family which he had come to form in the world, the beginning of the Church and the new humanity... The Son of God thus fulfilled his mission: born of the Virgin in order to share our human condition in everything but sin, at his return to the Father he left behind in the world the sacrament of the unity of the human race”.
Dwelling on the Mass readings the Pope mentioned St Paul’s words chosen as the motto for the Papal Journey: "Christ is our peace" (Eph 2,14). “Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul tells us that Jesus Christ has not only brought us peace, but that he is our peace” the Pope said recalling that grace transforms humanity and the world and peace is a fruit of this transformation. “Paul knows that he has been sent to proclaim a “mystery”, a divine plan that only in the fullness of time has been carried out and revealed in Christ: namely, that “the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel” (Eph 3:6). This mystery is accomplished, in salvation history, in the Church, the new People in which, now that the old dividing wall has been broken down, Jews and pagans find themselves united. Like Christ himself, the Church is not only the instrument of unity, but also its efficacious sign. And the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ and of the Church, is the Mother of that mystery of unity which Christ and the Church inseparably signify and build up, in the world and throughout history..”
The Pope concluded addressing the Catholic community: “Dear brothers and sisters, in this visit I have wanted to convey my personal love and spiritual closeness, together with that of the universal Church, to the Christian community here in Turkey, a small minority which faces many challenges and difficulties daily. With firm trust let us sing, together with Mary, a Magnificat of praise and thanksgiving to God who has looked with favour upon the lowliness of his servant (cf. Lk 1:48). Let us sing joyfully, even when we are tested by difficulties and dangers, as we have learned from the fine witness given by the Roman priest Don Andrea Santoro, whom I am pleased to recall in this celebration. Mary teaches us that the source of our joy and our one sure support is Christ, and she repeats his words: “Do not be afraid” (Mk 6:50), “I am with you”.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2006 - righe 48, parole 707)