NICOSIA, Cyprus, JUNE 6, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The Blessed Mother shows by her example how we can hope in confidence that Christ never abandons us, even in the darkest times, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope stated this today before praying the midday Angelus with the faithful gathered at the Eleftheria Sports Centre in Nicosia.
He led the Marian prayer after a Mass in which he presented the «instrumentum laboris» (working document) for the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in Rome next October 10-24.
The Pontiff addressed some ten thousand Catholics Cypriots and millions of faithful around the world who watched his address on television.
Through Mary’s «yes,» the Holy Father noted, «the hope of the ages became a reality, the One whom Israel had long awaited came into the world, into our history.»
He continued: «Some thirty years later, as Mary stood weeping at the foot of the cross, it must have been hard to keep that hope alive.
«The forces of darkness seemed to have gained the upper hand. And yet, deep down, she would have remembered the angel’s words.»
«Even amid the desolation of Holy Saturday the certitude of hope carried her forward into the joy of Easter morning,» Benedict XVI stated. «And so we, her children, live in the same confident hope that the Word made flesh in Mary’s womb will never abandon us.»
The Pope affirmed that «he, the Son of God and Son of Mary, strengthens the communion that binds us together, so that we can bear witness to him and to the power of his healing and reconciling love.»
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: http://zenit.org/article-29496?l=english
