Spirit leads Church on path of renewal
Catechesis by Pope John Paul II on the History of Salvation
General Audience, Wednesday 25 November 1998 - in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese & Spanish
"1. In the previous catechesis we reflected on the “signs of hope” present in our world. Today we would like to continue our reflection, examining some of the “signs of hope” present in the Church so that Christian communities can have an ever better understanding and appreciation of them. They stem from the action of the Holy Spirit who, down the centuries, “by the power of the Gospel ... permits the Church to keep the freshness of youth. Constantly he renews her and leads her to perfect union with her Spouse” (Lumen gentium, n. 4).
Among the ecclesial events that have left a deep mark on our century, the most important is the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. Through it the Church took from her treasury “what is new and what is old” (cf. Mt 13:52) and experienced in a certain way the grace of a renewed Pentecost (cf. Address of John XXIII at the close of the Council's first period, III, in Discorsi, Messaggi, Colloqui V [1962/1963], p. 29). If we look closely, the signs of hope which enliven the Church’s mission today are closely connected with this abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit which the Church experienced in the preparation, celebration and application of the Second Vatican Council.
2. Listening to what “the Spirit is saying to the Church and to the Churches” (Tertio millennio adveniente, n. 23; cf. Rv 2:7ff.) is expressed in acceptance of the charisms which he distributes in abundance. Their rediscovery and appreciation has developed a more intense communion between the various vocations of the People of God, such as a renewed, joyful enthusiasm for evangelization.
Today especially, the Holy Spirit is spurring the Church to promote the vocation and mission of the lay faithful. Their participation and co-responsibility in the life of the Christian community and the many forms of their apostolate and service in society give us reason, at the dawn of the third millennium, to await with hope a mature and fruitful “epiphany” of the laity. A similar expectation concerns the role that woman is called to assume. As in civil society, so in the Church the “feminine genius” is becoming more and more apparent, and it must be increasingly promoted in ways appropriate to the vocation of woman according to God’s plan.
Moreover, we cannot forget that one of the gifts the Spirit has generously bestowed in our time is the flourishing of ecclesial movements, which from the beginning of my Pontificate I have continued to point to as a cause of hope for the Church and for society. They “are a sign of the freedom of forms in which the one Church is expressed, and they represent a sound newness, which still waits to be adequately understood in all its positive effectiveness for the kingdom of God at work in the present moment of history”, (Insegnamenti VII/2 [1984], p. 696).
3. Our century has also seen the seed of the ecumenical movement blossom and grow. In this movement the Holy Spirit has led the members of the various Ecclesial Communities to seek the ways of dialogue in order to re-establish full unity.
In particular, thanks to the Second Vatican Council, the search for unity and ecumenical concern have unquestionably become “a necessary dimension of the whole life of the Church”, and a priority commitment to which the Catholic Church “wants to contribute in every possible way” (Insegnamenti VIII/1 [1985], pp 1991, 1999). The dialogue of truth, preceded and accompanied by the dialogue of charity, is gradually achieving remarkable results. There is also a stronger awareness that the real soul of the movement to restore Christian unity is spiritual ecumenism, that is, conversion of heart, prayer and holiness of life (cf. Unitatis redintegratio, n. 8).
4. Lastly, among the many other signs of hope, I would like to mention “the increased interest in dialogue with other religions and with contemporary culture” (Tertio millennio adveniente, n. 46).
As to the former, one need only recall the prophetic significance that the Second Vatican Council's Declaration Nostra aetate on the Church's relations with non-Christian religions has gradually assumed. Many experiences of meeting and dialogue at various levels have taken place and are taking place in every part of the world between representatives of the different religions. I am pleased to mention in particular the great progress that has been made in the dialogue with the Jews, our “elder brothers”.
An important sign of hope for humanity is that the religions are trustingly engaged in dialogue and feel the urgent need to join forces to encourage progress and to contribute to the moral commitment of nations. Faith in the constant action of the Spirit gives us hope that also by this path of mutual concern and esteem it will be possible for everyone to be open to Christ, the true Light that “enlightens every man” (Jn 1:9).
As for the dialogue with culture, the attitude expressed by the Second Vatican Council is showing its providential effectiveness: “Just as it is in the world’s interest to acknowledge the Church as a social reality and a driving force in history, so too the Church is not unaware of how much she has profited from the history and development of mankind” (Gaudium et spes, n. 44). Contacts made in this area have already overcome unwarranted prejudices. The new attention paid by the various cultural currents of our time to religious experience, and to Christianity in particular, spurs us to persevere on the path we have chosen towards a fresh meeting between the Gospel and culture.
5. In these many signs of hope, we cannot fail to recognize the action of God’s Spirit. However, in full dependence upon and in communion with him, I also like to see in them the role of Mary, “as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature” (Lumen gentium, n. 56). Mary intercedes for the Church as a mother and leads her on the path of holiness and docility to the Paraclete. At the dawn of the new millennium, we can joyfully discern that “Marian profile” of the Church (cf. Insegnamenti X/3 [1987], p. 1483) which epitomizes the deepest meaning of conciliar renewal."
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today, we reflect on some of the “signs of hope” present in the Church. These signs are closely connected to the abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit which the Church experienced in the preparation, celebration and application of the Second Vatican Council.
Among other things, the fruits of the Council have included a better understanding of the specific vocation and mission of the laity, a more active role for women in the Church, and the spread of various ecclesial movements. Ecumenism too has grown, and Christians have become more aware that unity requires prayer, conversion of heart and holiness of life.
With the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary always before us, may all Christ’s faithful be ever obedient to the Spirit as they continue along the path of authentic renewal.
After the Catechesis, Papa Giovanni Paolo II greeted the pilgrims in various languages:
Je salue cordialement les pèlerins francophones, spécialement les jeunes de l’équipe marocaine de foot-ball de l’Ajax-Kénitra, ceux du lycée Gerson de Paris et les étudiants de Liège. J’accorde à tous les fidèles présents la Bénédiction apostolique.
I warmly greet the many English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at this audience, especially those from the United States, Canada and India. Upon you and your families I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mit dieser unvollständigen Aufzählung grüße ich alle Pilger und Besucher aus den Ländern deutscher Sprache. Möge Euch Maria, die ganz vom Heiligen Geist durchdrungen ist, auf Eurem Lebens- und Glaubens-weg beschützen und begleiten. Euch allen und Euren Angehörigen daheim sowie den über Radio Vatikan und das Fernsehen mit uns verbundenen Gläubigen erteile ich von Herzen den Apostolischen Segen.
Saludo con afecto a los peregrinos de España, México, Bolivia, Guatemala, Argentina y demás naciones latinoamericanas. Al animaros a iniciar con esperanza el próximo tiempo litúrgico del Adviento, invoco sobre todos vosotros y vuestras familias la acción renovadora del Espíritu Santo.
A minha saudação de paz e bênção para todos os peregrinos de língua portuguesa, nomeadamente o grupo de visitantes brasileiros e os portugueses da paróquia da Várzea de Lafões, cuja padroeira é Nossa Senhora da Expectação. Está para começar o Advento, e eu desejo-vos que vivais este tempo como a Virgem Mãe na feliz expectativa do Salvador que vem. Louvado seja Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo!
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua croata
Saluto cordialmente l’Arcivescovo Metropolita di Split-Makarska. Mons. Ante Juric, unitamente ai membri della Società Cavalleresca della Giostra dell’Anello di Sinj. Benvenuti!
Carissimi, come la luce del Vangelo ha guidato i vostri padri, così guidi anche voi in questo significativo momento storico. Le tradizioni della fede viva e della cultura, che voi, gareggianti dell’Anello del Sinj, custodite gelosamente sin dall’indimenticabile anno del Signore 1715, siano la costante ispirazione per ciascuno di voi e per le nuove generazioni, desiderose di dare un nuovo contributo alla costruzione di un mondo sempre più umano.
Nell’affidare voi e la vostra Patria alla protezione della Madonna Miracolosa di Sinj, a tutti imparto la Benedizione Apostolica.
Siano lodati Gesù e Maria!
Nel salutare i pellegrini di lingua italiana, rivolgo il mio pensiero anzitutto alla delegazione della sezione romana dell'Associazione Giuriste Italiane, che ha organizzato un convegno di studi e di riflessioni in occasione della Giornata italiana per i diritti dell'infanzia e dell'adolescenza. Auguro di cuore che l'impegno speso per così nobile causa contribuisca a porre sempre più in luce i diritti dei bambini e degli adolescenti.
Saluto, inoltre, con affetto i membri dell'Associazione Volontari Italiani del Sangue di Roma, venuti per ricordare il loro sessantesimo anniversario di fondazione. Possa questo incontro rafforzare in ciascuno il generoso impegno umano e cristiano e sia di stimolo per tutti, particolarmente per i giovani, a manifestare concreta solidarietà verso i fratelli bisognosi.
Saluto, infine, i giovani, i malati e gli sposi novelli e li invito a volgere fin d'ora lo sguardo al tempo liturgico di Avvento ormai vicino. Domenica prossima, infatti, con l'inizio dell'Avvento, si avvierà anche il terzo ed ultimo anno di preparazione immediata al Grande Giubileo del Duemila, dedicato in modo particolare a Dio Padre.
Auguro a tutti voi, carissimi giovani, malati e sposi novelli, di vivere questo particolare momento di grazia con un rinnovato impegno di preghiera, di penitenza e di opere di carità.
A tutti la mia Benedizione.
Saluto del Santo Padre al Primo Reggimento Allievi Marescialli e Brigadieri dei Carabinieri di Velletri e ai Militari della Marina del Comando delle Forze di Contromisure Mine di La Spezia:
Sono lieto di rivolgere a tutti voi il mio cordiale saluto, cari giovani della Scuola Allievi Marescialli e Brigadieri di Velletri e militari di Marina di La Spezia. Benvenuti e grazie per la vostra gradita visita!
Saluto l'Ordinario militare, Mons. Giuseppe Mani; un rispettoso pensiero rivolgo agli ufficiali e sottufficiali che vi accompagnano. Un saluto ancora ai cari cappellani militari, sacerdoti e guide delle vostre comunità. A tutti formulo in questa circostanza l’augurio più cordiale di poter fare della vostra vita un autentico e costante incontro con Cristo.
Il Vangelo ci mostra che tra i militari e Gesù ci sono stati contatti molto significativi. Pensiamo, ad esempio, alle parole che ogni volta ripetiamo alla santa Comunione: «Io non sono degno...». Esse sono di un centurione romano che così espresse la sua fede, la sua ammirazione per Gesù Cristo, la sua profonda umiltà e la sua accorata preghiera per la guarigione del servo (cfr Mt 8,8; Lc 7,8). Leggiamo poi negli Atti degli Apostoli che il primo convertito sotto l'influsso dello Spirito Santo - convertito non ebreo, ma pagano - fu un centurione romano di nome Cornelio (cfr At 10,1-48).
Cari giovani, vi incoraggio a coniugare anche voi una sempre più convinta vita di fede con la vostra esperienza militare, alimentandola con il ricorso frequente alla preghiera. Vi assicuro il mio ricordo al Signore e di cuore vi benedico.
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