Pope Francis says "Let us pray that a way out may be found - May peace return, may there be peace! War is always a defeat. Let us pray for peace."
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Saint Peter's Square on Wednesday, 11 December 2024
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The following text includes parts that were not read out loud, but should be considered as such.
Cycle of Catechesis. The Spirit and the Bride. The Holy Spirit guides the people of God towards Jesus our hope 17. The Spirit and the Bride say: “Come!”. The Holy Spirit and Christian hope
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
We have arrived at the end of our catecheses on the Holy Spirit and the Church. We will devote this final reflection to the title we gave to the entire cycle, namely: “The Holy Spirit and the Bride. The Holy Spirit guides the People of God towards Jesus our hope”. This title refers to one of the last verses of the Bible, in the Book of Revelation, which says: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come’” (Rev 22:17). Who is this invocation addressed to? It is addressed to the risen Christ. Indeed, both Saint Paul (cf. 1 Cor 16:22) and the Didaché, a text from apostolic times, attest that in the liturgical meetings of the first Christians there resounded the cry in Aramaic, “Maràna tha!”, which indeed means “Come, Lord!”. A prayer to Christ, for Him to come.
At that earliest time, the invocation had a background we would describe today as eschatological.
Indeed, it expressed the ardent expectation of the glorious return of the Lord. And this cry, and the expectation it expresses, have never been extinguished in the Church. Still today, in the Mass, immediately after the consecration, she proclaims Christ’s death and resurrection “as we await the blessed hope and [His] coming”. The Church awaits the coming of the Lord.
But this expectation of the final coming of Christ has not remained the one and only. It has also been joined by the expectation of his continuous coming in the present and pilgrim situation of the Church. And it is this coming that the Church thinks of above all, when, animated by the Holy Spirit, she cries out to Jesus: “Come!”.
A change, or better, let’s say, a development, full of meaning, has occurred with regard to the cry “Come”, “Come, Lord!”. It is not habitually addressed only to Christ, but also to the Holy Spirit Himself! He who cries out is now Him to whom we cry out. “Come!” is the invocation with which we begin almost all the hymns and prayers of the Church addressed to the Holy Spirit: “Come, Holy Spirit”, we say in the Veni Creator, and “Come, Holy Spirit”, “Veni Sancte Spiritus”, in the sequence of Pentecost; and so on, in many other prayers. It is right that it should be so, because, after the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit is Christ’s true “alter ego”, He who takes His place, who makes Him present and operative in the Church. It is He who “declare[s] … the things that are coming” (cf. Jn 16:13) and makes them desired and expected. This is why Christ and the Spirit are inseparable, also in the economy of salvation.
The Holy Spirit is the ever-gushing source of Christian hope. Saint Paul left us these precious words, this is what Paul says: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rm 15:13). If the Church is a boat, the Holy Spirit is the sail that propels it and lets it advance on the sea of history, today as in the past!
Hope is not an empty word, or a vague desire of ours that things may turn out for the best; hope is a certainty, because it is founded on God’s fidelity to His promises. And this is why it is called a theological virtue: because it is infused by God and has God as its guarantor. It is not a passive virtue, which merely waits for things to happen. It is a supremely active virtue that helps make them happen. Someone who fought for the liberation of the poor wrote these words: “The Holy Spirit is at the origin of the cry of the poor. He is the strength given to those who have no strength. He leads the struggle for the emancipation and full realization of the people of the oppressed”.
The Christian cannot be satisfied with having hope; he or she must also radiate hope, be a sower of hope. It is the most beautiful gift that the Church can give to all of humanity, especially at times in which everything seems to be dragging down the sails.
The apostle Peter exhorted the first Christians with these words: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope”. But he added a recommendation: “But do it with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pt 3:15-16). And this is because it is not so much the strength of the arguments that will convince people, but rather the love that we know how to put in them. This is the first and most effective form of evangelization. And it is open to everyone!
Dear brothers and sisters, may the Spirit always, always help us to “abound in hope by virtue of the Holy Spirit! Thank you.
APPEAL
Every day I am following what is happening in Syria, in this moment that is so delicate in its history. I hope that a political solution may be reached that, without further conflicts or divisions, may responsibly promote the stability and unity of the country. I pray, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, that the Syrian people may live in peace and security in their beloved land, and that the different religions may walk together in friendship and mutual respect for the good of the nation, afflicted by so many years of war.
I extend a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims. In particular, I greet the representatives of the Italian Folklore Union on their 40th anniversary of activity and I encourage them to preserve the cultural heritage of the territory so rich in religious and spiritual values; I then greet the Delegation of the Province of Latina which is celebrating its 90th anniversary of foundation and I pray to the Lord to inspire their projects and initiatives for the common good of the entire population.
I warmly welcome the Firefighters who come from Chieti and I take this opportunity to express to you and all your colleagues my appreciation for what you represent and for what you do for the community, both in daily services and in major emergencies.
Finally, my thoughts go to the young people, the sick, the elderly and newlyweds. In this time of Advent, go with a trusting spirit to meet the Lord who comes for our salvation.
And I always think of the tormented Ukraine that is suffering so much from this war. Let us pray that a way out may be found. And I think of Palestine, Israel, Myanmar. May peace return, may there be peace! War is always a defeat. Let us pray for peace.
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Special greetings:
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those coming from England and the United States. I pray that each of you and your families may experience a blessed Advent in preparation for the coming, at Christmas, of the newborn Jesus, Son of God and Prince of Peace. God bless you!
Je salue cordialement les pèlerins de langue française, en particulier le groupe de travail de la Fondation Human Technology et les jeunes du Collège Gerson de Paris. Implorons l’Esprit-Saint ne nous rendre solide dans l’espérance du retour de Jésus, et demandons-lui de nous inspirer à rendre notre monde plus fraternel en vue de ce retour. Que Dieu vous bénisse.
[Saluto cordialmente i pellegrini di lingua francese, in particolare il gruppo di lavoro della Human Technology Foundation e i giovani del Collegio Gerson di Parigi. Imploriamo lo Spirito Santo di renderci forti in attesa della venuta di Gesù e chiediamogli di ispirarci a rendere il nostro mondo più fraterno in vista di questa venuta. Dio vi benedica.]
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those coming from England and the United States. I pray that each of you and your families may experience a blessed Advent in preparation for the coming, at Christmas, of the newborn Jesus, Son of God and Prince of Peace. God bless you!
[Saluto i pellegrini di lingua inglese presenti all’odierna Udienza, specialmente quelli provenienti da Inghilterra e Stati Uniti. A ciascuno di voi e alle vostre famiglie giunga l’augurio di un fecondo cammino di Avvento per accogliere a Natale, il Bambino Gesù, Figlio di Dio e Principe della Pace! Dio vi benedica!]
Liebe Brüder und Schwestern, der Advent lädt uns ein, uns auf Weihnachten vorzubereiten und Jesus vorbehaltlos aufzunehmen. Er ist unsere Hoffnung. Darum wollen wir gemeinsam voller Zuversicht beten: „Komm, Herr Jesus!“
[Cari fratelli e sorelle, l’avvento ci invita a preparaci al Natale, accogliendo Gesù senza riserve. Egli è la nostra speranza. Per questo preghiamo insieme, pieni di fiducia: “Vieni Signore!”]
Saludo cordialmente a los peregrinos de lengua española. Mañana celebramos la fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Pidámosle a nuestra Madre del cielo que nos enseñe a confiar en Dios y a ser sembradores de esperanza en el camino de la vida. Que Jesús los bendiga y la Virgen Morenita los cuide. Muchas gracias.
我向讲中文的人们致以诚挚的问候。亲爱的兄弟姐妹们，愿你们向源源不断地赐予我们丰富恩宠的天主敞开心扉。我降福你们大家！
[Rivolgo il mio cordiale saluto alle persone di lingua cinese. Cari fratelli e sorelle, siano i vostri cuori aperti alla grazia che Dio non cessa di donare in abbondanza. A tutti la mia benedizione!]
Queridos peregrinos de língua portuguesa, sede bem-vindos! Preparemo-nos para a vinda do Redentor, neste tempo de Advento e especialmente no Ano Santo que se aproxima, invocando com esperança: “Vem, Senhor Jesus!”. Deus vos abençoe!
[Cari pellegrini di lingua portoghese, benvenuti! Prepariamoci alla venuta del Redentore, in questo tempo d’Avvento e specialmente nell’Anno Santo ormai vicino, invocando con speranza: “Vieni, Signore Gesù!”. Dio vi benedica!]
أُحَيِّي المُؤمِنينَ النَّاطِقينَ باللغَةِ العربِيَّة. المَسِيحيُّ الَّذي يَعِيشُ في الرُّوحِ القُدُسِ يَصيرُ نورَ رجاءٍ للَّذينَ هُم في الظُّلمَة. باركَكُم الرّبُّ جَميعًا وحَماكُم دائِمًا مِن كُلِّ شَرّ!
[Saluto i fedeli di lingua araba. Il cristiano che vive nello Spirito Santo diventa una luce di speranza per coloro che sono nel buio. Il Signore vi benedica tutti e vi protegga sempre da ogni male!]
Pozdrawiam serdecznie Polaków. W waszym kraju żywa jest tradycja adwentowych Mszy roratnich. Niech głęboka symbolika tej liturgii, jak również bogate w treść pieśni adwentowe pomogą wam zanosić do Boga tę prastarą modlitwę Kościoła: Maràna tha, Przyjdź, Panie! Z serca wam błogosławię.
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