April 20, 2011. (Romereports.com) In Benedict
XVI's general audience, he explained the meaning of the Easter Triduum,
the three days when the Church celebrates the Passion, Death and
Resurrection of Jesus. The pope invited Catholics to make a thorough confession to prepare for these days.
He explained Holy
Thursday is when oils are blessed for baptism,
confirmation, and the ordination
of priests as well as
anointing the sick and commemorating
the institution of the Eucharist.
Benedict
XVI“
The
liturgies of these days invite us to ponder the loving obedience of
Christ who, having become like us in all things but sin, resisted
temptation and freely surrendered himself to the Father’s will.”The
pope recalled the suffering of Jesus in the Garden of Olives, where
he
assumed
all the suffering of humanity and transformed
the will of God.
He explained that the Apostles fell asleep
and that this dream is a symbol of the callousness of the human soul
to God. The Pope said the Holy Thursday night worship is a good time
to reflect on this dream or indifference to God.
Benedict
XVI“
On
the evening of Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins
the actual Triduum and recalls the institution of the sacraments of
the Eucharist and Holy Orders.”He
also noted that on Good Friday the Gospels
are read on
the Passion to commemorate
the Death
of Jesus. And
during Holy Saturday the
Easter Vigil is celebrated. This
is the main
night for
the remembrance of Jesus conquering death through his Resurrection
.
Benedict XVI“
The
Easter Vigil joyfully proclaims Christ’s resurrection from the dead
and the new life received in Baptism. By our prayers and our sharing
in these liturgies, let us resolve to imitate Christ’s loving
obedience to the Father’s saving plan, which is the source of
authentic freedom and the path of eternal life.”
Among
the more than 13,000 people who attended the
audience
were 3,500 young people who
had traveled to Rome to participate
in UNIV,
the Institute for University Cooperation,
which
is sponsored
by Opus Dei.
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