Mary’s Assumption is hope for today’s society, says Pope

Asia News ^ | August 16, 2006 | Benedict XVI

[ELS]

16 August, 2006
VATICAN
Mary’s Assumption is hope for today’s society, says Pope Today’s world denies God His place or despairs in death. Only God’s love can quench the thirst for happiness and give value to the mystery of human frailty and death. The Pontiff remembers Frère Roger of Taizé, killed a year ago.
Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – Today’s general audience was a bit special. Contrary to the usual practice, it was held in the courtyard of the Pontiff’s summer residence rather than St Peter’s Square. And instead of continuing his meditations on the Apostles, the Pope spoke again of the Assumption of the Virgin, the Christian festivity that was celebrated yesterday in memory of the "glorification" of Mary, the mother of Jesus, including her corporeal glorification.

For the Holy father, more and more today’s society must be aware of this feast day, "so felt by the Christian people" as a "luminous sign of hope". "Today," he explained, "there are those who live as if they were never to die or as if all should end with death. Some act as if humankind was master of its own destiny, as if God did not exist, going so far as to deny Him any place in our world. The great advances in science and technology, which have much improved humanity’s conditions, leave unanswered the innermost questions of the human soul. Only by opening up to the mystery of God, which is Love, can our heart’s thirst for truth and happiness be quenched. Only a point of view based on eternity can give historical events, especially the mystery of human frailty, suffering and death, real value".

The sign of Mary’s Assumption plays fundamental role in Christians’ journey and mission. "By contemplating Mary in her celestial glory," the Pontiff said in conclusion, "we understand that the earth is not our final homeland, that if we live constantly focused on that which is eternal, we can share one day that same glory. For this reason, despite our many daily challenges, we must not lose our serenity and peace. The luminous sign of the Assumption of our Lady in the heavens glows brighter than the sad shadows cast by sorrow and violence. We are certain that from high above Mary follows our steps with sweet trepidation. She brightens our life in its dark and stormy hours and reassures us with her maternal hand. Conscious of this, we continue confident along our path shaped by our Christian commitment wherever Providence takes us".

At the end of the audience after the multilingual greetings, Benedict XVI evoked Frère Roger, founder of the Taizé community, who a year ago was mortally struck by the hand of a deranged soul during the evening prayers.

"His witness to the Christian faith and ecumenical dialogue," the Pope said, "was a precious lesson to entire generations of young people. Let us call on our Lord that the sacrifice of his life may contribute to consolidating the commitment to peace and solidarity of those who care for humanity’s future."

(Photo CPP) See also: 08/15/2006 VATICAN - Pope: to Mary, Queen of peace, I entrust anxieties of ...

[ELS]

Thank you for posting those images. They are beautiful.

[ELS]

the vitality of the Byzantine style in Italy

If you haven't visited Ravenna, yet, you might want to add it to your itinerary. Ravenna was the Italian seat of Byzantium and has quite a collection of Byzantine art. Most notable are the basilicas of San Vitale and Sant'Apollinare in Classe.

A virtual tour of Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe

Images of the interior of Basilica di San Vitale

The Churches of Ravenna: An Early Christian Picture Show

[Kolokotronis]

Another place I want to see. My wife says I'm fixated on Greece! :) But you know, the call of the blood is strong!

The links to the church interiors are appreciated. Byzantine church architecture and decoration contribute mightily, especially when coupled with the Divine Liturgy of +John Chrysostomos, to an other worldly sense in worshippers. As +Vladimir's envoys to Constantinople reported when they returned to Kiev, "We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth!" My belief is that this experience is what lies at the base of the Orthodox conviction of the timelessness of the Faith as Holy Tradition has given it to us, both in theology and praxis.

[ELS]

But you know, the call of the blood is strong!

I can definitely relate to that given that I am 3/4 Italian and have lived in Italy. There is a very strong pull.

[livius]

The mosaics at Ravenna are some of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Ravenna, in fact, is a remarkable place, with its connection with Dante, the beautiful church that is now mostly underwater, etc...and the great food, for those more earthly minded among us.

[ELS]

Byzantine church architecture and decoration contribute mightily, especially when coupled with the Divine Liturgy

multimedia interaction/participation ... what is old is new, again.

[Campion]

The infallible definition does not specify that Our Lady died.

Absolutely correct. Pope Pius did not wish to dogmatize either position, but kept the definition neutral out of deference to both traditions.

[conservatative strategery]

"Also if she were without original sin; than she would neither want nor need Christ's redemption in any form."

Correct. If she lived a sinless life, she would not need Christ, yet she called Him Savior. The whole idea doesn't square with Scripture.

[murphE]

Correct. If she lived a sinless life, she would not need Christ, yet she called Him Savior.

The person who pulls you out of the way of a speeding car before you are hit would be no less your savior than the doctor who performs the life saving surgery on you had that person not been there.

[Carolina]

Yes, Ravenna is definitely on our "to visit" list next time we're in Italy.

[conservatative strategery]

And the point is?

[murphE]

The point is, of course Our Lord is Mary's savior.

[conservatative strategery]

Well, on that we can agree :)