March 21, 2011. Benedict XVI has not hid his concern about the plight in Libya. He called on political leaders on both sides to ensure the safety of the Libyan people and access to humanitarian aid.
Benedicto XVI
"I pray for all those involved in this tragic situation and make strong appeal to those with political and military responsibility to take into account as a priority the safety of the population and to ensure access to humanitarian aid."
The pope said that he is closely following the situation in Libya and that he prayed for peace in that country during his week of retreat.
Benedicto XVI
"I want to assure my affectionate closeness to the people and to ask God to grant a horizon of peace and harmony on Libya and all of North Africa."
According to figures from the Aid to the Church in Need, Christians in Libya represent only 2.7% of the population. The main religion is Sunni Islam.
The pope also reflected on the Transfiguration of Jesus, which is the Gospel read during Mass for the Second Sunday of Lent. The pope explained that the Transfiguration does not change who Jesus is but reveals that he is God, that he is pure light.
Benedicto XVI
"Strengthened by our faith in Jesus, true God and true man, may we be inspired, not scandalized, by the Cross given to our Saviour and to our fellow Christians who suffer with him throughout the world."
The pope invited Catholics to do some act of voluntary penance during Lent, in addition to that which comes during the course of everyday life.
VATICAN CITY, 20 MAR 2011 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI made a pastoral visit to the Roman parish of St. Corbinian, where he celebrated Mass and consecrated the new church.
In his homily, the Pope commented on the Gospel of the Transfiguration of Christ of the second Sunday of Lent, which has "two elements, both very important: on the one hand, the mystery of the Transfiguration and, on the other, that of the temple, or rather the House of God within your own homes".
The Holy Father explained that by means of the Transfiguration "the disciples were prepared for the Paschal mystery of Jesus: to overcome the terrible trial of the Passion and to better understand the luminous truth of the Resurrection".
"The will of God", he continued, "is fully revealed in the person of Jesus. A person who wishes to live according to God's will must follow Jesus, listen to Him, welcome His words and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, absorb them more deeply. The first invitation I wish to extend to you", the Pope to the parishioners, "is to grow in your knowledge of and love for Christ, both as individuals and as a community; to encounter Him through the Eucharist, by listening to His words, in prayer and in charity".
Pope Benedict XVI went on to state that "the second point concerns the Church, as an edifice but above all as a community". In this respect, he recalled that St. Corbinian founded the diocese of Frisinga in Bavaria, where he served as bishop for four years. In giving thanks to those who have contributed to building this church, he remarked, "today is an important day, which crowns the efforts, the work, the sacrifices and the commitment of the residents here to create a mature Christian community. They now have a new definitively consecrated church".
"Just as the church building has been erected, my visit here is intended to encourage you to continue to build the Church of living stones, which you yourselves represent. ... To this end, I exhort you to make your church the place in which you learn to hear the Word of God, the permanent 'school' of Christian life from which every activity of this young and busy parish originates".
The Pope remarked that the parish community of St. Corbinian is young, composed in large part of newly-married couples. He exhorted the community to "give life to family pastoral care characterised by an open and cordial welcome to new families, and to favour reciprocal knowledge so that the parish community increasingly becomes a 'family of families', able to share with each other, not only the joys but the inevitable difficulties of initiating family life".
"Dear friends of St. Corbinian! The Lord Jesus Christ, who conducted the Apostles to the mount to pray and showed them His glory, has today invited us to this new church; here we may hear Him, to acknowledge His presence in the Eucharist; and thus become a living Church, temple of the Holy Spirit, a worldly sign of the love of God".
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The Transfiguration (Luke 9: 28-36) Bible Projectby wanabeyas1,006 views
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