On the Good News

"God Reigns in the World Through His Son Made Man"

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 27, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today before reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters!In today's liturgy the evangelist Matthew, who will accompany us though this whole liturgical year, presents the beginning of Jesus' public mission. It essentially consists in the preaching of the kingdom of God and in the healing of the sick, to demonstrate that this kingdom has drawn near, indeed, it is already in our midst.

Jesus begins his preaching in Galilee, the region in which he grew up, a "marginal" territory in comparison to the center of the Jewish nation, which is Judea, and in it, Jerusalem. But the prophet Isaiah had already announced that this land, assigned to the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, would have a glorious future: The people immersed in darkness would see a great light (cf. Isaiah 8:23-9:1), the light of Christ and his Gospel (cf. Matthew 4:12-16).

The term "gospel" in Jesus' time was used by the Roman emperor's for their proclamations. Independently of the content, they were defined as "good news," that is, proclamations of salvation, because the emperor was considered the lord of the world and each of his edicts a portent of good. The application of this term to Jesus' preaching had a very critical meaning, as if to say: God, not the emperor, is the Lord of the world, and the true Gospel is that of Jesus Christ.

The "good news" that Jesus proclaims is summarized in these words: "The kingdom of God," or the kingdom of heaven, "is near" (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15). What does this expression mean? It certainly does not mean an earthly kingdom limited by space and time, but it proclaims that it is God who rules, that God is Lord and his lordship is present -- actual -- it is being realized.

The novelty of Christ's message is that in him God has drawn near, he already reigns in our midst, as the miracles and the healings that he accomplishes show. God reigns in the world through his Son made man, and with the force of the Holy Spirit, who is called "the finger of God" (cf. Luke 11:20). Where Jesus comes, the Creator Spirit brings life and men are cured of diseases of body and spirit. The lordship of God is thus manifested in the total healing of man. With this Jesus wants to reveal the countenance of the true God, the God who is near, full of mercy for every human being; the God who makes a gift to us of life in abundance, of his own life. The kingdom of God is for this reason life that affirms itself over death, the light of the truth that scatters the darkness of ignorance and falsehood.

Let us pray to Mary Most Holy that she obtain for the Church the same passion for the kingdom of God that animated the mission of Jesus Christ: passion for God, for his lordship of life and of love; passion for man, encountered in truth to give him the most precious treasure; the love of God, his Creator and Father.

[After the Angelus the Holy Father said the following in Italian:]

I greet with great affection the children and young people of Catholic Action of Rome, who have come, as every year, at the conclusion of the "Month of Peace," accompanied by the cardinal vicar, by parents and educators. Two of them are here by me, they have presented me with a message and shortly they will help me to release two doves, symbol of peace. Dear little friends, I know that you work on behalf of others your age who suffer from war and poverty. Continue along the road that Jesus has shown to us to build true peace!

Today we celebrate World Leprosy Day, begun 55 years ago by Raoul Follereau. To all those who suffer from this disease I offer my affectionate greeting, assuring you of a special prayer, which I extend to those who, in various ways, assist them, in particular to the volunteers of the Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau.

Last Monday, Jan. 21, I addressed a "Letter on the Urgent Task of Education" to the Diocese and the city of Rome. I wanted to offer in this way my own particular contribution to the formation of new generations, a difficult and crucial undertaking for the future of our city. On Saturday, Feb. 23, I will meet in a special audience in the Vatican all of those who, as educators or as children, adolescents and young people in formation, are most directly participants in the challenge of education, and I will symbolically consign this letter of mine to them.

[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]

[In English, he said:]

I greet all the English-speaking visitors present at today's Angelus. In this Sunday's Gospel, we hear how Jesus called his first apostles. At once they left everything and followed him. We too are called to be disciples of Jesus. Let us be ready to offer ourselves generously and whole-heartedly in his service. Upon all of you here today, and upon your families and loved ones at home, I invoke God's abundant blessings.

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