God Present in Struggle of Good and Evil, Says Pope

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 26, 2003 (Zenit.org).- God manifests himself in the struggle between good and evil that is part of human history, says John Paul II.

The Pope dedicated his address at today's general audience to comment on Psalm 109(110) -- "object of numerous and splendid musical compositions which have dotted the history of Western culture," he said.

The biblical composition begins with words attributed to God: "Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool."

In the background, "are perceived hostile forces," the Pope said.

There exists "a confrontation of a general nature between the plan of God, who operates through his chosen one, and the designs of those who would like to affirm their hostile and prevaricatory power," the Holy Father told the pilgrims gathered in Paul VI Hall.

There is "the eternal clash between good and evil, which unfolds in historical events, through which God manifests himself and speaks to us," the Pontiff explained.

In this confrontation, the Psalm concludes by recalling the solemn divine oath of God, which is made concrete with the presence of the "eternal priest," a reference to the "particular and perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ," John Paul II added.

The Pope concluded by quoting St. Maximus of Turin, in which he represents Christ as the conqueror of all evil and a truly unique mediator, by his passion, death and resurrection, for the whole of humanity.

The Pope's address continued the series of meditations on the liturgy of vespers, the evening prayer of the Church, which he began last month (see the "Wednesday's Audience" section of ZENIT's Web page).