Pope Benedict during his Sunday Angelus reflected on two forthcoming events in the churches calender, the feast of Easter and the Beatification of Pope John Paul II. on May 1st. On the day after the 6th anniversary of John Paul’s death, the Holy Father said, "While, through our Lenten journey, we prepare for the feast of Easter, we are also joyfully approaching the day when we will venerate as Blessed this great witness of Christ and Pope and rely even more on his intercession".Pope Benedict also explained that because of the impending beatification of Pope John Paul, he did not celebrate a memorial Mass on Saturday "but the Holy Father added “I fondly remembered him in prayer, as I think all of you also did."
Before the recitation of the Marian prayer the Pope took time to reflect on the Sunday Gospel which recounts the miracle of the man born without sight.
“In today’s Gospel Jesus, the light of the world, gives sight to the man born blind. May the light of Christ, received in Baptism, always guide us through this life to the splendour of divine glory.”
The Pope explained that this man was on a journey of faith; he meets Jesus “as a 'man' among others, then he considers him a 'prophet', finally, his eyes open and he proclaims Him 'Lord'. "
Pope Benedict went on to say that, "we too because of the sin of Adam are born" blind ", but in the baptismal font we were enlightened by the grace of Christ.”
Finally , before greeting the faithful in Saint Peter’s Square in a number of languages including English the Pope prayed that “in these days which prepare us for Easter may the gift we received at Baptism be rekindled in us, that flame that sometimes threatens to be stifled. Let us nourish it with prayer and love of neighbour".
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