"Doesn’t the building of a Church amidst the houses of a village or a neighbourhood suggest" the "great gift and mystery" of the Word that "became flesh and came to live amidst us"? This question was asked yesterday morning by Benedict XVI as he introduced the Angelus, back from his pastoral visit to the Roman parish church of Santa Maria Stella dell’Evangelizzazione. The dedication of "a new parish church" is for the Pope "an event that, although concerning that neighbourhood, takes on a symbolic meaning within the liturgical time of Advent, as we get ready to celebrate Lord’s Christmas". Over these days, "the liturgy reminds us all the time that ‘God comes’ to visit His people and dwell amidst men and enter with them into a communion of love and life, that is, a family". The church-building, went on the Holy Father, "is a real sign of the Church-community, composed of the ‘lively stones’ that are the believers". While it is true God "takes the initiative of coming and living amidst men, and He is always the main author of this plan", explained the Pope, "it is also true that He does not want to accomplish it without our proactive cooperation". (to be continued)
