Pope on Gaudete Sunday

I love the photograph of the Pope throwing golden orb to the world, but I thought I should the context; the Pope framed by the Christmas Tree in St Peter's Square. Yesterday Italian children brought il bambino to church to be blessed.
Read Asian News for the Angelus Message.

Pope: "Urgent pacific solutions" for Middle East and Lebanon

Benedict XVI urged politicians of the country of the cedars to concern themselves solely with the good of Lebanon. This morning, he celebrated his first dedication of a new Church, an event that takes on a particular symbolic meaning in the time of Advent.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – “Urgent pacific solutions” for the Middle East must be found, especially for Lebanon. Voicing agreement with the concerns expressed by the Maronite Patriarch, Nasrallah Sfeir, Benedict XVI today reminded the international community once again of its responsibilities and of the need to commit itself to peace. He also drew the attention of Lebanese political elements to their duty to “have at heart exclusively the good of the country and harmony among its communities”. In this Sunday of Advent, around 40,000 people gathered for the recital of the Angelus in St Peter’s Square, where structures have already been set up in anticipation of the arrival of the Christmas tree and for the construction of the crib. Addressing the crowd, the pope also talked about this period, in which one should strive to “build the ‘dwelling of God among men’.”
After reciting the Marian prayer, the pope said: “I am following, with intense concern, what is happening in the Middle East, where glimmers of a solution to crises tormenting the region alternate with tensions and difficulties that give rise to fears of further violence. Lebanon deserves special mention. On its soil, today as yesterday, ‘people different on cultural and religious levels’ are called ‘to live together, to build a nation of dialogue and coexistence and to contribute to the common good’ (post-Synodal apostolic exhortation, A new hope for Lebanon, n.119). Thus, in the face of recent developments, I share the strong apprehensions expressed by the Patriarch, His Beatitude Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and by Maronite bishops, in their statement published on Wednesday last. Together with them, I call on the Lebanese people and their political leaders to have at heart exclusively the good of the country and harmony among its communities, inspiring their commitment to the unity that is the responsibility of each and every one and requires patient and persevering efforts, together with trusting and lasting dialogue (cfr ibid n.120). I also hope that the international community will help to identify urgent pacific and fair solutions necessary for Lebanon and the entire Middle East, while I invite all to prayer during this grave time.”
Before the Angelus, Benedict talked to those present about an inauguration he carried out this morning, of the new church of Santa Maria, Star of Evangelization, on the southern outskirts of Rome, “an event that, although it pertains to that neighbourhood, acquires a symbolic significance in the liturgical time of Advent, as we prepare to celebrate the Christmas of the Lord. In these days, the liturgy constantly reminds us that ‘God comes’, to visit his people, to dwell amongst mankind and to form a communion of love and of life with them, that is, a family.” This morning, during the “dedication” of the new church, the first undertaken by this pope, Benedict XVI described a new church as “a building in which God and man desire to meet; a place that brings us together, in which one is drawn to God”. He continued: “Particularly in our social context that is widely secularized, the parish is a lighthouse that radiates the light of faith and thus fulfils the deepest and truest desires of the heart of man, giving meaning and hope to the lives of people and families.”
Taking inspiration from the bible narrative about the rebuilding of the people of Israel after return from exile, he highlighted the reality that “after the great optimism of repatriation, the people saw a desert country before them. How to rebuild it? External reconstruction cannot progress unless the people themselves are rebuilt first as a people – unless common criteria for legality and justice are established that unite all and regulate the life and actions of each one. The returnees need, so to speak, a ‘constitution’, a fundamental law for their lives. And they know that this constitution, that should definitively bring justice, cannot be the fruit of their own invention. True justice cannot be invented by man: rather it must be discovered. It must come from God. The Word of God rebuilds the city.”
The pope continued: “Church buildings exist so that the Word of God may be listened to, explained and understood among us; they exist especially so that the feast may begin, which God wants mankind to join not only at the end of time, but from this very moment. They exist so that knowledge of what is just and good may be awakened in us. They exist so that we may learn to live the joy of the Lord that is our strength. We pray to the Lord that he may make us proud of his word and make us proud of our faith, so that this joy may renew us and the world!”

This Weeks Angelus Message

Benedict XVI upheld the Sister killed in Somalia as an example of “artisans of peace”. He called for prayers for men of the sea and their families.
Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – The “logic of Christianity”, that is, the giving of self to others, at times to the point of sacrificing one’s life, is testified to around the world by many Christians who “lay down their lives for others because of Jesus Christ, working concretely as servants of love and thus as ‘artisans’ of peace”, just as Sr Leonella Sgorbati did. The example of the missionary killed in Somalia was upheld today by Benedict XVI before 3,000 people in the internal courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
Addressing the small festive crowd that applauded him warmly and vigorously called out his name, Benedict XVI made no other reference to a meeting set for tomorrow at Castel Gandolfo, with ambassadors of Muslim majority counties accredited to the Vatican and some Muslim religious leaders. Turning to today’s Gospel, Benedict XVI talked instead about the “logic of Christianity, which responds to the truth of man created in the image of God, but at the same time counters his egotism, a consequence of original sin. Each and every human being is drawn by love – that is ultimately God himself – but often makes mistakes in concrete ways of loving, and thus from a tendency with positive roots but often contaminated by sin, bad intentions and actions can emerge.”
Referring to the testimony of “peace artisans”, he said: “At times, some people are asked for the supreme witness of their blood, as happened a few days ago with the Italian religious, Sr Leonella Sgorbati, who was a victim of violence. This sister, who for many years served the poor and little ones in Somalia, died uttering the word ‘forgiveness’: here we have the most authentic Christian witness, a pacific sign of contradiction that reveals the victory of love over hatred and evil. There is no doubt that following Christ is difficult, but, as He said, only those who lose their life for his sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it (Mk 8:35), giving full meaning to their existence. There is no other way to be his disciples; there is other path to testifying to his love and aiming for gospel perfection. Mary helps us, who we invoke today as the Blessed Virgin of Mercede, to open our hearts always to the love of God, mystery of joy and holiness.”
After the recital of the Marian prayer, the pope recalled the upcoming celebration of World Maritime Day. He said in English: “I would like to invite all of you to pray for the men and women involved in seafaring, and for their families. I thank the Lord for the work of the Apostleship of the Sea, which for many years has offered human and spiritual support to those who live this difficult and challenging way of life.” The pope then applauded recent initiatives taken by the International Maritime Organization to contribute to the fight against poverty and hunger