Jesus' Love Brings Solace and Responsibility, Says Pope

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Christ on the cross is the most eloquent and grandiose manifestation of God's love for each person, says Benedict XVI.

"This word of tenderness is a great consolation for us, but at the same time, a great responsibility, day after day," the Holy Father added.

The Pope's words came at the end of his commentary on the canticle of Chapter 2 of St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians, verses 6-11.

The canticle says of Jesus Christ, "though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness."

"In this hymn," Benedict XVI said, "reference to the scandal of the cross … is interlaced and culminates with the event of the Resurrection. The sacrificial obedience of the Son is followed by the glorifying response of the Father, who unites himself to the adoration of humanity and of creation.

"Christ's singularity arises from his function of Lord of the redeemed world, which was bestowed on him because of his perfect obedience 'unto death.'"

Same attitude

Thus, the Pope continued, the "plan of salvation is first fulfilled in the Son and the faithful are invited -- above all in the liturgy -- to proclaim it and to live its fruits."

"This is the end to which we are led by the Christological hymn that for centuries the Church has meditated on, sung and considers [a] guide of life: 'Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,'" he explained.

At the end, the Holy Father put his papers to one side and invited those present to "learn to have the same sentiments that Jesus had, to conform our way of thinking, of deciding, of acting to Jesus' sentiments."

"Let us undertake this path if we want to conform our sentiments to those of Jesus," he said. "Let us undertake the good path."