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She who believed

Blessed John Paul II's Catechesis
General Audience in Paul VI Hall, Wednesday, 3 July 1996 - in Italian & Spanish

"1. In the Gospel account of the Visitation, Elizabeth, "filled with the Holy Spirit", welcomes Mary to her home and exclaims: "Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord" (Lk 1:45). This beatitude, the first reported in Luke's Gospel, presents Mary as the one who, by her faith, precedes the Church in fulfilling the spirit of the beatitudes.

Elizabeth's praise of Mary's faith is reinforced by comparing it to the angel's announcement to Zechariah. A superficial reading of the two announcements might consider Zechariah and Mary as having given similar responses to the divine message: "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years", Zechariah says; and Mary: "How can this be, since I have no husband?" (Lk 1:18, 34). But the profound difference between the interior attitudes of the principals in these two episodes can be seen from the very words of the angel, who rebukes Zechariah for his disbelief, while he gives an immediate reply to Mary's question. Unlike Elizabeth's husband, Mary fully submits to the divine plan and does not condition her consent on the granting of a visible sign.

The angel, who proposed that she become a mother, is reminded by Mary of her intention to remain a virgin. Believing that the announcement could be fulfilled, she questions the divine messenger only about the manner of its accomplishment, in order better to fulfil God's will, to which she intends to submit with total readiness. "She sought the manner; she did not doubt God's omnipotence", St Augustine remarks (Sermo 291).

2. The context in which the two announcements are made also helps to exalt the excellence of Mary's faith. In Luke's account, we see the more favourable situation of Zechariah and the inadequacy of his response. He receives the angel's announcement in the temple of Jerusalem, at the altar before the "Holy of Holies" (cf. Ex 30:6-8); the angel addresses him as he is offering incense, thus, as he is carrying out his priestly duties, at a significant moment in his life; the divine decision is communicated to him in a vision. These particular circumstances favour an easier understanding of the divine authenticity of the message and offer an incentive to accept it promptly.

The announcement to Mary, however, takes place in a simpler, workaday context, without the external elements of sacredness which accompanied the one made to Zechariah. Luke does not indicate the precise place where the Annunciation of the Lord's birth occurred: he reports only that Mary was in Nazareth, a village of little importance, which did not seem predestined for the event. In addition, the Evangelist does not ascribe unusual importance to the moment when the angel appears and does not describe the historical circumstances. In meeting the heavenly messenger, one's attention is focused on the meaning of his words, which demand of Mary intense listening and a pure faith.

This last consideration allows us to appreciate the greatness of Mary's faith, especially in comparison with the tendency, then as now, to ask insistently for sensible signs in order to believe. In contrast, the Virgin's assent to the divine will is motivated only by her love of God.

3. Mary is asked to assent to a much loftier truth than that announced to Zechariah. The latter was invited to believe in a wondrous birth that would take place within a sterile marital union, which God wished to make fruitful: a divine intervention similar to those benefiting several Old Testament women: Sarah (Gn 17:15-21; 18:10-14), Rachel (Gn 30:22), the mother of Samson (Jgs 13:1-7), Hanna, the mother of Samuel (1 Sm 1:11-20). In these episodes the gratuitousness of God's gift is particularly emphasized.

Mary is called to believe in a virginal motherhood, for which the Old Testament mentions no precedent. In fact, the well-known prophecy of Isaiah: "Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel" (7:14), although not excluding such a view, was explicitly interpreted in this sense only after Christ's coming and in the light of the Gospel revelation.

Mary is asked to assent to a truth never expressed before. She accepts it with a simple yet daring heart. With the question: "How can this be?", she expresses her faith in the divine power to make virginity compatible with her exceptional and unique motherhood.

By replying: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Lk 1:35), the angel offers God's ineffable solution to the question Mary asked. Virginity, which seemed an obstacle, becomes the concrete context in which the Holy Spirit will accomplish in her the conception of the incarnate Son of God. The angel's response opens the way to the Virgin's co-operation with the Holy Spirit in the begetting of Jesus.

4. The free co-operation of the human person is realized in carrying out the divine plan. By believing in the Lord's word, Mary co-operates in fulfilling the motherhood announced to her.

The Fathers of the Church often underline this aspect of Jesus' virginal conception. In commenting on the Gospel of the Annunciation, St Augustine in particular states: "The angel announces, the Virgin listens, believes and conceives" (Sermo 13 in Nat. Dom.). And again: "Christ is believed and conceived through faith. The coming of faith first occurs in the Virgin's heart and then fruitfulness comes to the Mother's womb" (Sermo 293).

Mary's act of faith recalls the faith of Abraham, who at the dawn of the Old Covenant, believed in God and thus became the father of a great posterity (cf. Gn 15:6; Redemptoris Mater, n. 14). At the start of the New Covenant, Mary also exerts a decisive influence with her faith on the fulfilment of the mystery of the Incarnation, the beginning and the synthesis of Jesus' entire redeeming mission.

The close relationship between faith and salvation, stressed by Jesus in his public life (cf. Mt 5:34; 10:52; etc.), helps us also to understand the fundamental role which Mary's faith exercised and continues to exercise in the salvation of the human race."


After the Catechesis, Pope John Paul II greeted the pilgrims in various languages

[In German] Liebe Schwestern und Brüder! Indem ich unser aller Anliegen der Fürsprache der Gottesmutter Maria empfehle, grüße ich Euch alle, liebe Schwestern und Brüder, nochmals sehr herzlich. Einen besonderen Willkommensgruß richte ich an die Mitglieder des Jugendsymphonieorchesters Bremen, mit meinem Dank für die musikalische Darbietung, sowie an die Schülergruppen aus Deutschland und Österreich. Euch allen, Euren lieben Angehörigen und Freunden in der Heimat sowie allen, die uns in diesem Augenblick geistig verbunden sind, erteile ich gern den Apostolischen Segen.

[In Dutch] Aan alle pelgrims afkomstig uit België wens ik toe, dat uw geloof in de liefde van God mag worden versterkt, opdat u, zoals Maria, in uw leven de wondere werking van de heilige Geest mag ervaren. Van harte verleen ik u allen de Apostolische Zegen.

[In Lithuanian] Sveikinu maldininkus iš Lietuvos.
Brangūs Broliai ir Seserys!
Kristaus Išganytojo vardu linkiu jums, šios audiencijos dalyviams, jūsų artimiesiems ir jūsų Tėvynei - Lietuvai, gausių Viešpaties malonių, išminties ir ryžto atkuriant ir stiprinant savajį kraštą, o svarbiausia, pasitikėjimo Kristaus išganančiąja meile - tiesos ir teisingumo versme. To nuoširdžiai linkėdamas, laiminu visus Apaštaliniu Palaiminimu. Garbė Jėzui Kristui!

[To the Bohemian & Moravian pilgrims] Milí poutníci z Čech a Moravy! Velehrad se chystá oslavit apoštoly Slovanů svaté Cyrila a Metoděje velkou poutí. Solunští bratři učili znát vaše předky na Velké Moravě nebeského Otce a jeho Syna, kterého poslal na svět, Ježíše Krista. Tato víra, jež dává věčný život, byla pokladem celých generací a je dodnes vaší sílou a radostí. Milujte Krista a jeho evangelium a vaše víra bude sílit a přinášet úchvatné plody. Z celého srdce žehnám vám i vašim drahým ve vlasti! Chvála Kristu!

[In Slovenian] Prisrčno pozdravljeni romarji iz Kamenj v Sloveniji, ki želite s svojim obiskom h koreninam krščanstva poživiti svojo vero, ki ste jo tako izrazito izpovedali mesca majnika med mojim obiskom v Postojni. Naj obisk grobov svetih apostolov Petra in Pavla utrdi Vašo zvestobo Kristusu in Cerkvi. S to željo vam podeljujem svoj Apostolski Blagoslov.

[In Croatian] Od srca pozdravljam skupinu mladih iz Splita, zatim učitelje i učenike Osnovne škole iz Kutine te skupinu učitelja i nastavnika dubrovačkih škola. Svima želim ugodan ljetni odmor kako bi potom s novim poletom i u kršćanskom duhu mogli nastaviti svoje školovanje i nastavu. Neka vas uvijek prati Božji blagoslov. Hvaljen Isus i Marija!

[In Slovakian] Srdečne vítam slovenskkých pútnikov z Modranky a Zuberca, z Vranova, Prievidze a Machuliniec, z Modrého Kameňa, Trenčína a Nového Mesta nad Váhom. Drahí bratia a sestry, som rád, že dnes je medzi vami vel'a mládeže. Pripomína mi to vlaňajšie stretnutie s mladými v Nitre. Vtedy som ich vyzval, aby pokračovali v evanjelizačnom diele svátého Cyrila a Metoda. Preto mám vel'kú radosť z toho, že v týchto dňoch Slovensko dostáva od Pána vyše sto nových kňazov. To sú noví evanjelizátori Slovenska. Modlite sa za nich, aby s horlivosťou Svatých bratov Cyrila a Metoda posilňovali l'udí vo viere, že sa môžu spasiť iba v Kristovi. S touto modlitbou zo srdca udel'ujem Apoštolské Požehnanie vám a všetkým novokňazom Slovenska. Pochválený bud Ježiš Kristus.

[In Hungarian] Szeretettel köszöntelek Bennetekt, kedves csepeli, miskolci és óriszentpéteri zarándokok. A napokban ünnepeltük szent Péter és szent Pál apostolok emlékét, akik sírjait Ti is imádságos lélekkel meglátogatjátok. Közbenjárásukra adja meg az Úr, hogy hűen kövessük az Igazságot, amelyet elsőnek hirdettek és befogadjuk a Megváltó kegyelmi ajándékait, amelyeknek első közvetítóí voltak. Ezt kérem imámban Tinéktek és az otthoni testvéreknek. Apostoli Áldásommal. Dicsértessék a Jézus Krisztus!

[In Polish] Bardzo serdecznie witam licznych pielgrzymów z Polski. Witam Księdza Kardynała z Wrocławia, Księży Biskupów z Ełku i Siedlec oraz liczne grupy parafialne: z Krakowa, Palczowic, Borgłówki, Brzegu, Górzykowa, Głogowa, Gdańska, Koszar, Kokoszkowych, Łososiny Górnej, Miłosławia, Warszawy, Pucka, Choszczna i Radowa Małego, Ryjewa, Rymanowa, Radomia, Otwocka, Sierakowa, Sieradza, Torunia, Ustki, ze Świętej Wody, Zwolenia i z Żeglec oraz grupę franciszkańskiego sanktuarium św. Antoniego z Padwy z Brodnicy. Pozdrawiam nadto grupy młodzieżowe, oazowe i nauczycielskie oraz trenerów z Krakowa. Witam szczególne serdeczne grupę z Centrum Rehabilitacyjnego w Konstancinie, jak też Zespół Pieśni i Tańca « KOS » z Lublina. « Błogosławiona jesteś, któraś uwierzyła ». Te słowa wypowiedziała Elżbieta przy nawiedzeniu. Tak pozdrowiła Maryję przybywającą do niej po zwiastowaniu. « Błogosławiona jesteś, któraś uwierzyła, że Ci się stanie, co Ci zostało zapowiedziane od Pana ». To błogosławieństwo skierowane do Maryi uwydatnia w szczególny sposób Jej Boże macierzyństwo, a Sobór Watykański II podejmując ten temat mówi, że w swojej wierze Maryja przoduje całemu Ludowi Bożemu. Przoduje, idzie na czele. Doświadczyliśmy tego przodowania w ciągu dziejów i doświadczamy stale na naszej ziemi poprzez Jasną Górę, poprzez tyle sanktuariów maryjnych, poprzez tyle parafii i wspólnot rodzin. Pragnę gorąco życzyć wszystkim moim rodakom tu zgromadzonym i pasterzom Kościoła w Polsce, ażeby to prowadzenie Maryi dalej nam towarzyszyło. Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus!

[In French] Chers frères et soeurs, J 'adresse un salut cordial aux pèlerins de langue française, notamment aux Frères du Sacré-Coeur en session spirituelle à Rome, ainsi qu'à toutes les personnes consacrées ici présentes. J'accueille avec joie le groupe venant de Syros, en Grèce. Je salue particulièrement les jeunes et je les encourage à accueillir le Christ, qui les invite au bonheur véritable et qui les appelle à être ses témoins. Á chacun, j'accorde la Bénédiction Apostolique.

[In English] Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am pleased to greet Archbishop Michael Augustine and the priests of the Archdiocese of Pondicherry celebrating their 35th anniversary. My greetings also go to the Anglican pilgrims from Cairo. I thank the choirs for their praise of God in song. Upon all the English-speaking visitors, especially the pilgrims from Scotland, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada and the United States, I cordially invoke the joy and peace of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

[In Spanish] Amadísimos hermanos y hermanas, Saludo con afecto a los peregrinos de lengua española. De modo particular a las Religiosas de la Compañía de Santa Teresa, a los fieles de las diversas parroquias de España, así como a los demás grupos venidos desde México, Guatemala y Colombia. Deseando a todos un sereno período estivo, os imparto de corazón la Bendición Apostólica.

[In Portuguese] Caríssimos Irmãos e Irmãs de língua portuguesa, Saúdo, com votos de bem, graça e paz no Senhor Jesus Cristo, quantos participam nesta audiência e me escutam. Em particular, sejam bem-vindos: – de Portugal: O grupo folclórico da Paróquia de Ançã, de Coimbra; e alguns peregrinos do Ramalhal; – do Brasil: Sejam bem-vindos também os numerosos alunos anunciados do Colégio Santo Américo de São Paulo; um grupo de peregrinos da Paróquia de Nossa Senhora da Salete, de São Paulo; enfim, o grupo do Movimento de Maria de Schönstatt. Que Maria Santíssima seja para todos « Estrela da Manhã », a indicar com seu exemplo e solicitude de Mãe, caminhos de vida eterna, para vós e para as vossas famílias. Com a minha Bênção!

[In Italian] Rivolgo un cordiale benvenuto a tutti i pellegrini di lingua italiana. Saluto in particolare gli studenti di Teologia dell'Opera don Orione ed i loro formatori, che, accompagnati dal Direttore Generale, Don Roberto Simionato, partecipano al primo incontro europeo di formazione per giovani religiosi della Congregazione. Carissimi, seguendo il vostro Fondatore, crescete sempre più nella fedeltà al vostro tipico carisma di servizio alla Chiesa e ai poveri, per offrire un valido contributo alla nuova evangelizzazione del continente europeo. Saluto, poi, il gruppo di cicloturisti che, provenendo dal Santuario mariano di Częstochowa, portano con sé la « Fiaccola della Speranza ». Auspico che la singolare impresa, ispirata all'impegno espresso dal motto « Con Francesco e Chiara incendiamo il mondo di pace », contribuisca a diffondere la cultura della pace e della solidarietà. Un pensiero affettuoso va anche ai bambini bielorussi, ospiti della Parrocchia Basilica Concattedrale di Nepi. Il Signore protegga voi, cari bambini, e quanti vi hanno accolto in questi mesi.

Ai giovani, agli ammalati e agli sposi novelli

Saluto ora i giovani, gli ammalati e gli sposi novelli, traendo spunto dall'odierna festa dell'apostolo Tommaso. In più occasioni ho presentato ai giovani la figura di san Tommaso come esempio di fede maturata attraverso la ricerca e talora anche attraverso il dubbio. Auguro a ciascuno di voi, cari ragazzi e ragazze qui presenti, di poter dire con fede a Cristo crocifisso e risorto: « Mio Signore e mio Dio ». A voi, cari ammalati, auspico di trovare pace e consolazione nella contemplazione delle piaghe aperte e del costato trafitto di Cristo, che Tommaso ebbe il privilegio di poter toccare. Ed auspico che voi, cari sposi novelli, poniate sempre la fede a fondamento della vostra vita familiare."

 

© Copyright 1996 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana