Pope: Devasahayam Pillai's witness to Christ is an example
Dear brothers and sisters!
Today the Church begins a new liturgical year, a path that is further enhanced by the Year of Faith, 50 years since the Second Vatican Council. The first time this route is Advent, formed in the Roman Rite, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, which is the mystery of the Incarnation. The word "advent" means "coming" or "presence." In the ancient world meant the visit of the king or emperor to a province, in Christian language refers to the coming of God to his presence in the world, a mystery that surrounds the entire cosmos and history, but who knows two highlights: the first and the second coming of Jesus Christ. The first is just the Incarnation, and the second is the glorious return at the end of time. These two moments, which are chronologically distant - and we can not know how much -, deep touch, because by his death and resurrection, Jesus has already made the transformation of man and the cosmos that is the ultimate goal of creation. But before the end, it is necessary that the Gospel be proclaimed to all nations, Jesus says in the Gospel of St. Mark (cf. Mk 13:10). The coming of the Lord continues, the world must be penetrated by his presence. And this coming of the Lord in the Gospel permanent constantly asking our cooperation, and the Church, which is like the girlfriend, the promise Bride of the Lamb of God crucified and risen Christ (cf. Rev 21:9), in communion with the Lord works in this coming of the Lord, which has already begun his glorious return.
This is what we call today the Word of God, tracing the line of conduct to be followed in order to be ready for the coming of the Lord. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the disciples: "Your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life ... be vigilant at all times praying" (Lk 21,34.36). So, simplicity and prayer. And the apostle Paul adds the invitation to "increase and abound in love" with us and for all, to make firm our hearts blameless in holiness (cf. 1 Thes 3.12 to 13). Amid the turmoil of the world, or the deserts of indifference and materialism, Christians accept salvation from God and testify to a different way of life, like a city set on a hill. "In those days - announces the prophet Jeremiah - Jerusalem will live quiet, and shall be called, The LORD our righteousness" (33.16). The community of believers is a sign of the love of God, of His righteousness which is already present and active in history, but that is not yet fully realized, and it should always waiting invoked, sought with courage and patience.
The Virgin Mary perfectly embodies the spirit of Advent, which involves listening to God, and a deep desire to do his will, joyful service to others. Let us be guided by you, that the God who is there are closed or distracted, but may, in each of us, extending a little 'his kingdom of love, justice and peace.
Pope
Benedict XVI give the following message to the faithful after Angelus:
Today, Kottar, India, is beatified Devasahayam Pillai, a faithful layman who lived in the 18th century and died as a martyr. We join the joy of the Church in India and pray that the new Blessed sustain the faith of the Christians of that great and noble country.
I welcome all Gathered here today to pray with me. I especially greet the people of Kottar who today celebrated the beatification of Devasahayam Pillai. His witness to Christ is an example of That attentiveness to the coming of Christ Recalled by this first Sunday of Advent. May this holy season help us to center our lives more on Christ, our hope. God bless all of you!
