SUNDAY ANGELUS FROM JANUARY 1, 2000
Dearest Brothers and Sisters!
1. Let us give thanks to God, who has offered us the opportunity of
beginning another year. As I invoke his grace and protection for each of
your, I give you my most heartfelt wishes for a good Year 2000!
During the Christmas Midnight Mass, we heard the proclamation of the
angels: "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those on whom
His favor rests" (Luke 2, 14). This is the proclamation of hope that I
have re-proposed in the traditional message for today's World Day of
Peace. God loves us, He gives each of us the hope of a new time, a time
of salvation and peace.
2. Yes. Christ is our peace. He calls us to love every human being
without discrimination, converting our hearts and minds to thoughts of
peace, and banishing the temptation to violence and war. The Jubilee
that has barely begun constitutes a pressing invitation to love in the
prospective of a reconciled humanity.
We cross the threshold of a new year with the task of bringing our
contribution so that peace will become the everyday language of the
peoples. The Gospel teaches us that dialogue, cooperation, respect for
life, and solidarity are valid instruments to weave new relations
between peoples and countries, between the rich and the poor, between
believers and non-believers.
From every part of the world, a heartfelt invocation of peace is being
raised. Let us pray that it not remain unheard. At this moment, my
thoughts go to those who are victims of violence, to those who feel
themselves alone and abandoned.
Christ, Son of God made flesh, enlighten the hearts of men and women
with the gift of peace. You, Son of the Most High, were born for us all.
You are the same yesterday, today, and forever!
3. The first day of the year is placed under the special protection of
Mary. We begin the year 2000 under the loving gaze of the Mother of God,
who gave Christ, the Prince of Peace, to the world. The mantle of her
motherhood extends itself to all and protects us from evil, frees us
from hate and violence. She accompanies humanity on the paths of peace.
May every man and woman discover in others -- beyond every border -- the
face of brothers and sisters, of friends, of members of a single family.
Mary, Mother of God, make us apostles of peace!
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