The more we grow in this love-imbued intimacy with God went on the Pope , the easier it is for us to overcome every form of fear. In today’s passage from the Gospel, Jesus repeats his exhortation not to be afraid several times. He reassures us as He did with the Apostles, as He did with Saint Paul when He appeared to Him one night as a vision, at a particularly difficult time of his preaching: ‘Do not be afraid he said to him because I am with you'”. And, recalling that the apostle of people "was not even scared by martyrdom", Benedict XVI spoke again of the event of 28th June which will mark the beginning of the special jubilee year for the millenary of Saint Paul’s birth. "May this great spiritual and pastoral event concluded the Pope arouse even in us a renewed confidence in Jesus Christ who calls us to fearlessly announce and testify His Gospel". Then the invitation to get ready for the Pauline Year which, "God willing, I will solemnly open next Saturday at 6 pm, in the Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura".
