Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Benedict XVI Defends the Unborn
Pope Sounds a Recurring Theme at Christmas
ROME, JAN. 14, 2006 (Zenit.org http://www.zenit.org).-
Over Christmastime the Pope repeatedly focused on the value of human life in its initial stages. The backdrop of celebrating Christ's birth gave Benedict XVI the opportunity to touch on the gift of new life. In his homily at Christmas Eve Midnight Mass the Pontiff drew attention to how God came down to us as a defenseless child. The Almighty has become one of us, noted the Pope, and we first come to know him as a child. On every child shines something of the splendor of that first Christmas night, the Holy Father commented. This splendor also "shines on every child, even on those still unborn." A day before, during his speech welcoming the new British ambassador to the Holy See, the Pope stressed the importance of respecting the unborn. Noting that the ambassador, Francis Campbell, mentioned the importance of remaining faithful to Europe's traditions, Benedict XVI added that this fidelity should also include "a profound respect for the truth that God has revealed concerning the human person." This truth, the Pope continued, "requires us to recognize and protect the sanctity of life from the first moment of conception until natural death." During his general audience Dec. 28, the feast of the Holy Innocents, who were martyred by Herod, the Pope returned to the theme of protecting innocent life. He gave a commentary on the second part of Psalm 138(139). In the psalm the human being, while still an unformed presence in the womb, is the subject of the Creator's gaze. Biblical experts agree that this refers to the embryo, the Holy Father said. "The idea in our psalm that God already sees the entire future of that embryo, still an 'unformed substance,' is extremely powerful," he commented. "The days which that creature will live and fill with deeds throughout his earthly existence are already written in the Lord's book of life." This psalm, the Pope explained, makes clear "the greatness of this little unborn human creature, formed by God's hands and surrounded by his love." It is, he noted, "a biblical tribute to the human being from the first moment of his existence."
[...]
The Pope returned to the theme of protecting nascent life during his homily last Sunday closing the cycle of Christmas celebrations. He gave the homily in the Sistine Chapel on the occasion of administering the sacrament of baptism. Baptism is the sacrament of life, he explained, as it gives us the possibility of being in communion with Christ, who is life. In accepting this gift of life we must also say "no" to its opposite, a culture dominated by death, the Pope said. We must fulfill the Commandments, including the prohibition against killing, he added. A fitting conclusion to a liturgical season centered on a redemptive Babe.
What a great thing to find in the back issues of ZENIT stored up in my inbox from Christmas break. Especially since I am headed to the March for Life in just a few days! Hurrrah!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn, pray for us.
Pope Sounds a Recurring Theme at Christmas
ROME, JAN. 14, 2006 (Zenit.org http://www.zenit.org).-
Over Christmastime the Pope repeatedly focused on the value of human life in its initial stages. The backdrop of celebrating Christ's birth gave Benedict XVI the opportunity to touch on the gift of new life. In his homily at Christmas Eve Midnight Mass the Pontiff drew attention to how God came down to us as a defenseless child. The Almighty has become one of us, noted the Pope, and we first come to know him as a child. On every child shines something of the splendor of that first Christmas night, the Holy Father commented. This splendor also "shines on every child, even on those still unborn." A day before, during his speech welcoming the new British ambassador to the Holy See, the Pope stressed the importance of respecting the unborn. Noting that the ambassador, Francis Campbell, mentioned the importance of remaining faithful to Europe's traditions, Benedict XVI added that this fidelity should also include "a profound respect for the truth that God has revealed concerning the human person." This truth, the Pope continued, "requires us to recognize and protect the sanctity of life from the first moment of conception until natural death." During his general audience Dec. 28, the feast of the Holy Innocents, who were martyred by Herod, the Pope returned to the theme of protecting innocent life. He gave a commentary on the second part of Psalm 138(139). In the psalm the human being, while still an unformed presence in the womb, is the subject of the Creator's gaze. Biblical experts agree that this refers to the embryo, the Holy Father said. "The idea in our psalm that God already sees the entire future of that embryo, still an 'unformed substance,' is extremely powerful," he commented. "The days which that creature will live and fill with deeds throughout his earthly existence are already written in the Lord's book of life." This psalm, the Pope explained, makes clear "the greatness of this little unborn human creature, formed by God's hands and surrounded by his love." It is, he noted, "a biblical tribute to the human being from the first moment of his existence."
[...]
The Pope returned to the theme of protecting nascent life during his homily last Sunday closing the cycle of Christmas celebrations. He gave the homily in the Sistine Chapel on the occasion of administering the sacrament of baptism. Baptism is the sacrament of life, he explained, as it gives us the possibility of being in communion with Christ, who is life. In accepting this gift of life we must also say "no" to its opposite, a culture dominated by death, the Pope said. We must fulfill the Commandments, including the prohibition against killing, he added. A fitting conclusion to a liturgical season centered on a redemptive Babe.
What a great thing to find in the back issues of ZENIT stored up in my inbox from Christmas break. Especially since I am headed to the March for Life in just a few days! Hurrrah!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn, pray for us.
