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Skriven 2007-04-12 07:32:56 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

EASTER SATURDAY: IN RESURRECTION LOVE OVERCOMES DEATH

VATICAN CITY, APR 7, 2007 (VIS) - At 10 this evening in St. Peter's Basilica,
the Pope presided at the solemn Easter vigil during which he administered the
Sacrament of Confirmation to six catechumens and baptized two infants.

The celebration began in the atrium of the basilica where the Holy Father
blessed the new fire and lighted the Easter candle. This was followed by the
procession towards the altar with the singing of the "Exultet." Then came the
Liturgy of the Word and the Baptismal and Eucharistic Liturgies which the Holy
Father concelebrated with cardinals.

In his homily, the Pope recalled how "from ancient times the liturgy of Easter
day has begun with the words: 'Resurrexi et adhuc tecum sum' - I arose, and am
still with you; you have set your hand upon me. The liturgy sees these as the
first words spoken by the Son to the Father after His resurrection, after His
return from the night of death into the world of the living."

In Psalm 38, whence this phrase comes, the psalmist "imagines himself
journeying to the farthest reaches of the cosmos," while "on Easter day the
Church tells us that Jesus Christ made that journey to the ends of the universe
for our sake." And the "words of the Risen Christ to the Father have also
become words which the Lord speaks to us: 'I arose and now I am still with
you,' He says to each of us. My hand upholds you. ... Where no one can
accompany you further, and where you can bring nothing, even there I am waiting
for you, and for you I will change darkness into light.

"These words of the Psalm," the Pope added, "also explain what takes place at
Baptism. Baptism is more than a bath, a purification. It is more than becoming
part of a community. It is a new birth. A new beginning in life. ... In Baptism
we give ourselves over to Christ. ... As a result we are never alone, even in
death, but are always with the One who lives for ever."

The Pope then went on to consider the words "descended into hell" which form
part of the Creed, and the images used to illustrate Christ's descent to the
gates of death in order to open them. "The gates of death are closed, no one
can return from there. There is no key for those iron doors. But Christ has the
key. His Cross opens wide the gates of death. ... The love of the One who,
though God, became man in order to die - this love has the power to open those
doors. This love is stronger than death."

"The human soul was created immortal - what exactly did Christ bring that was
new?" asked the Holy Father before going on to explain: "The soul is indeed
immortal, because man in a unique way remains in God's memory and love, even
after his fall. But his own powers are insufficient to lift him up to God. ...
And yet, nothing else can satisfy man eternally, except being with God. ...
Only the Risen Christ can bring us to complete union with God, to the place
where our own powers are unable to bring us. Truly Christ puts the lost sheep
upon His shoulders and carries it home. Clinging to His Body we have life, and
in communion with His Body we reach the very heart of God. Only thus is death
conquered, we are set free and our life is hope.

"This," he added, "is the joy of the Easter vigil: we are free. In the
resurrection of Jesus, love has been shown to be stronger than death, stronger
than evil. Love made Christ descend, and love is also the power by which He
ascends. The power by which he brings us with Him. ... On this night, then, let
us pray: Lord, show us that love is stronger than hatred, that love is stronger
than death. Descend into the darkness and the abyss of our modern age, and take
by the hand those who await you. Bring them to the light!"
BXVI-HOLY WEEK/EASTER SATURDAY/...VIS 070411 (710)

SUMMARY

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