God Speaks in History, Creation and Revelation, Says John Paul II

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 20, 2003 (Zenit.org).- God manifests himself in creation, history and Revelation, inviting every believer to raise a song of praise to the Lord, says John Paul II.

The Pope made that observation when addressing the 3,500 pilgrims at today's general audience, held in the courtyard of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

The Holy Father dedicated his address to a reflection on the second part of Psalm 147, a poetic praise addressed to God by the People of Israel after the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

As can be seen in this vicissitude of the People of Israel, God speaks through history, but he also speaks in other ways, such as through creation, the Pope said.

Psalm 147, for instance, depicts a wintry scene, in which snow is compared to wool, hoarfrost to the dust of the desert, hail to crumbs of bread thrown on the ground. This wintry picture, which "invites one to discover the wonders of creation," becomes even more eloquent when spring reappears, the Holy Father said.

"The ice melts, the warm wind blows and makes the waters flow, thus repeating the perennial cycle of the seasons and, therefore, the same possibility of life for men and women," he said. "Thus, the Lord acts with his Word not only in creation but also in history."

"He reveals himself with the silent language of nature, but he expresses himself in an explicit way through the Bible, and in his personal communication through the prophets, and fully through the Son," the Pope said.

"This is why our praise should rise to heaven every day," the Holy Father added. "It is our gratitude, which flowers at dawn in the prayer of lauds to bless the Lord of life and freedom, of existence and faith, of creation and redemption."

John Paul II was continuing his series of weekly meditations on the Psalms and canticles of the Old Testament. The meditations may be read at www.zenit.org/english/audience.