By Ann Schneible
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, MARCH 27, 2012 (Zenit.org).- «Before the gaze of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, I appeal to you to reinvigorate your faith, that you may live in Christ and for Christ, and armed with peace, forgiveness and understanding, that you may strive to build a renewed and open society, a better society, one more worthy of humanity, and which better reflects the goodness of God.»
These words were delivered by Benedict XVI during the Holy Mass on Monday which commenced his first apostolic visit to Cuba. The significance of his visit is tied closely to the «Marian Jubilee Year called to honor and to venerate Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Patroness of Cuba, in this fourth centenary of the discovery and presence of her venerable statue in this blessed land.»
«I cannot forget» said Pope Benedict, «the sacrifices and the dedication with which this jubilee has been prepared, especially spiritually. I was deeply touched to hear of the fervor with which Mary has been welcomed and invoked by so many Cubans during her journey to every corner of the island.»
The Mass also coincided with the celebration of the feast of the Annunciation, since March 25 fell on Sunday this year.
«In Christ, God has truly come into the world, he has entered into our history, he has set his dwelling among us, thus fulfilling the deepest desire of human beings that the world may truly become a home worthy ofhumanity,” the Pope said.
Central to the story of the Incarnation is Mary, her choice, and her total willingness to accept the will of God. «Contemplating the mystery of the Incarnation,» the Holy Father said, «we cannot fail to turn our eyes to her so as to be filled with wonder, gratitude and love at seeing how our God, coming into the world, wished to depend upon the free consent of one of his creatures. Only from the moment when the Virgin responded to the angel, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word’ (Lk 1:38), did the eternal Word of the Father began his human existence in time.»
God so valued the freedom of his creature that he allowed for mankind’s salvation to be brought about by the free act of obedience of Mary. «This obedience to God is what opens the doors of the world to the truth, to salvation.»
«The obedience of faith,» Pope Benedict continued, «is true liberty, authentic redemption, which allows us to unite ourselves to the love of Jesus in his determination to conform himself to the will of the Father… Let us ask the Lord to strengthen our faith, to make it active and fruitful in love. Let us implore him that, like her, we may welcome the word of God into our hearts, and carry it out with docility and constancy»
As the Lenten season nears its end, now is the time to contemplate the hope which is found in the Incarnation. «Easter is already approaching; let us determine to follow Jesus without fear or doubts on his journey to the Cross. May we accept with patience and faith whatever opposition or affliction may come, with the conviction that, in his Resurrection, he has crushed the power of evil which darkens everything, and has brought the dawn of a new world, the world of God, of light, of truth and happiness.»
Moreover, it is through the Incarnation that mankind discovers his true dignity. «In his loving plan, from the beginning of creation, God has entrusted to the family founded on matrimony the most lofty mission of being the fundamental cell of society and an authentic domestic church. With this certainty, you, dear husbands and wives, are called to be, especially for your children, a real and visible sign of the love of Christ for the Church. Cuba needs the witness of your fidelity, your unity, your capacity to welcome human life, especially that of the weakest and most needy.»
The Holy Father concluded: «Dear brothers and sisters, before the gaze of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, I appeal to you to reinvigorate your faith, that you may live in Christ and for Christ, and armed with peace, forgiveness and understanding, that you may strive to build a renewed and open society, a better society, one more worthy of humanity, and which better reflects the goodness of God. Amen.»
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: http://www.zenit.org/article-34522?l=english
