"...ESPECIALLY THE HOLY EUCHARIST, PREPARES US FOR THE REUNION OF OUR BODIES AND SOULS IN HEAVEN" POPE

RADIO VATICANA REPORT: December 04, 2013 - Pope Francis held his weekly general audience on Wednesday, continuing his catechesis of last week on the resurrection of the body. The public meeting is an opportunity for pilgrims and tourists visiting Rome to see and hear the Pope, and also receive his blessing. The general audience of Dec. 4 was held in the open, in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square. It began with aides reading a passage from the Gospel of John, in several languages.


Basing himself on the scripture passage, Pope Francis delivered his main discourse in Italian - summaries of which were read out by aides in various languages, including in English.  But first, the aide greeted the Pope on behalf of the English-speaking pilgrims.

… Dear Brothers and Sisters: we return to our reflection on “the resurrection of the body”, as we look at three aspects of the relationship between Christ’s resurrection and our own. First, the Gospel reveals to us that our faith in the resurrection is bound to the person of Jesus Christ, who himself said “I am the resurrection and the life”. Like us in all things but sin, Christ gathers us to himself so that we may accompany him in his journey back to the Father. The Risen Christ gives his disciples the Holy Spirit as a pledge of communion with God which has its fullness in eternity. The anticipation of eternal life is the source and reason for our hope. If cultivated and protected, it illuminates our lives as persons and communities. Second, Christ rose in his glorified body. Through Christ, our bodies will also be glorified and reunited with our souls at the resurrection. Therefore, our experience of the Risen Christ in the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, prepares us for the reunion of our bodies and souls in heaven. Third, while Jesus will resurrect us at the end of time, even now he wishes us to share in his resurrection. Through Baptism, we are inserted into his death and resurrection and begin to experience new life. The seed of eternity is planted within us. Hence, the image of eternity is imprinted on us and calls us to respect the lives of all people, especially those who suffer. In this way, we can experience the closeness of the Reign of God, towards which we all journey together. 

… I offer an affectionate greeting to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from England, Denmark, Australia and the United States. Upon you and your families I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace! (BLESSING)
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA