Benedict: God wants cooperation to form world

Cindy Wooden
CNS

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – God wants all men and women to cooperate with him in forming a world marked by harmony and peace, Pope Benedict XVI said.


At his Feb. 1 weekly general audience, the pope said the biblical phrase "kingdom of God" is an expression of God's saving plan for all humanity, a plan that includes God's active presence in human history.

"We are not at the mercy of dark forces, nor are we left alone with our freedom, rather we have been entrusted to the action of the powerful and loving Lord who has a plan for us, a kingdom to establish," the pope said.

"He is not indifferent to human history, but rather wants to realize with us and for us his plan of harmony and peace," he said.

Pope Benedict said men and women of every nation and every generation are called to follow God's will for their lives and allow his presence to be felt in the world.

Throughout history, he said, God has revealed his love for people, intervening to guide and protect them and sending his Son to save them.

All that God already has done and continues to do in history reveals that his kingdom is not based on "power and domination, triumph and oppression as unfortunately frequently occurs with earthly kingdoms, but this kingdom of God is a demonstration of mercy, tenderness, goodness, grace and justice," the pope said.

The Old Testament profession that God is slow to anger and rich in mercy, he said, is "a preparation for the profession of faith of St. John the Apostle, who said, 'God is love.'"

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The following is the Vatican text of Pope Benedict XVI's remarks in English at his weekly general audience Feb. 1, 2006:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Our reflection today centers on Psalm 145 (144), which presents the Lord as a loving king who is full of compassion. The spiritual heart of this prayer is an intense and moving celebration of God's majesty.

In fact, the royal symbolism is an expression of God's saving plan for all men and women: Far from being indifferent to humanity, he wishes to establish on earth a kingdom of harmony and peace, and to this end God enters our history through wonderful works and mighty deeds. Unlike territorial kingdoms, which so often have been marked by power or even oppression, the psalm evokes a reign of gentleness, grace and justice. Indeed, the king is "slow to anger and abounding in love."

St. Peter Chrysologus notes that, even greater than the Lord's works is the Lord's mercy. Let us too raise our voices today in praise of God's benevolence, mercy and care for all humanity!

I extend a warm welcome to all the English-speaking pilgrims here today, including groups from England and the United States of America. I greet in particular those attending the Conference of European English-speaking rectors as well as the trustees and officers of the University of Notre Dame. Upon all of you, I invoke the peace and joy of Jesus Christ Our Lord!

• Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

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