Triumph of Evil Is Only Apparent, Says John Paul II

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 28, 2004 (Zenit.org).- A believer can be consoled knowing that God follows his steps lovingly and is on the side of good "with his word and action," says John Paul II.

The Pope expressed this conviction at today's general audience in Paul VI Hall. The meditation focused on Psalm 10(11).

"The Lord is not a remote sovereign, enclosed in his golden world, but a vigilant Presence aligned on the side of good and justice," the Holy Father told the 4,000 pilgrims present. "He sees and provides, intervening with his word and action."

With this reflection, John Paul II continued his series of catecheses on the Psalms and canticles of the liturgy of vespers, the evening prayer of the Church.

The Pontiff pointed out how Psalm 10(11) is an expression of the fears and discouragement that can take hold of anyone who feels "alone and impotent in face of the invasion of evil."

Such a person has the impression "that the foundations of the just social order are shaken and the very bases of human coexistence undermined," he said.

At such times, people must raise their eyes to God who "with his penetrating gaze" embraces "the whole of the human horizon," the Pope said.

"God can scrutinize and sift every person, distinguishing good from evil, and vigorously condemning injustice," he continued.

Therefore, the triumph of evil is only apparent, while the upright receives as a promise in the sacred text the possibility of seeing the Lord one day, "just judge, but above all, merciful liberator," the Holy Father added.

"It is an experience of joyful communion and serene trust in God who delivers from evil," he said. "In the course of history, innumerable righteous have experienced something similar. Many accounts describe the trust of Christian martyrs in face of torments and their firmness, who did not flee from trials."

The Pope, who seemed in reasonable physical form, read his meditation in Italian and greeted pilgrims in seven languages.

John Paul II's series of meditations on the Psalms and canticles of vespers can be found in the Documents section of ZENIT's Web page.