God's Love Is a Constant in History, Says Pope

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 28, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI invited the faithful to experience God's love in the vicissitudes of history as he offered a commentary on a biblical psalm.

The Pope, who returned to the Vatican today after spending most of the summer at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, dedicated the weekly general audience to a meditation on the first part of Psalm 134(135), a hymn to God who works wonders.

"Divine love becomes concrete and can almost be experienced in history with all its harsh and glorious vicissitudes," he said, addressing 30,000 pilgrims gathered on a sunny morning in St. Peter's Square.

"This reality, already experienced by the people of Israel, is manifested in a totally new and especially eloquent way in Jesus Christ, in the mystery of his death and resurrection, which is the greatest expression of freedom and salvation," affirmed the Pontiff when addressing Spanish-speaking pilgrims.

The psalm is a liturgical hymn used as a prayer by the Jews in which divine omnipotence is exalted, manifested "in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in the oceans," the Holy Father said.

This profession of faith celebrates above all "the amazing intervention in history, where the Creator shows his face as Redeemer of his people and sovereign of the world," the history of salvation, he added.

Benedict XVI concluded by quoting the fourth Pope, St. Clement of Rome, and his prayer to Christ: "Grant concord and peace to us and to all the inhabitants of the earth."

Benedict XVI is now preparing for the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist, which opens Sunday with a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.