59.
In conclusion, it is helpful to recall
the words of the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium
et Spes: "The Church believes that Christ, who died and was raised
up for all, can through his Spirit offer man the light and the strength to
measure up to his supreme destiny. Nor has any other name under heaven been
given to man by which it is fitting for him to be saved. She likewise holds
that in her most benign Lord and Master can be found the key, the focal
point, and the goal of all human history. The Church also maintains that
beneath all changes there are so many realities which do not change and
which have their ultimate foundation in Christ, who is the same yesterday
and today and for ever. Hence in the light of Christ, the image of the unseen
God, the firstborn of every creature, the Council wishes to speak to all men in
order to illuminate the mystery of man and to cooperate in finding the solution
to the outstanding problems of our time".(41)
While I invite the faithful to raise to the
Lord fervent prayers to obtain the light and assistance necessary for the
preparation and celebration of the forthcoming Jubilee, I exhort my Venerable
Brothers in the Episcopate and the ecclesial communities entrusted to them to
open their hearts to the promptings of the Spirit. He will not fail to arouse
enthusiasm and lead people to celebrate the Jubilee with renewed faith and
generous participation.
I entrust this responsibility of the whole
Church to the maternal intercession of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer. She, the
Mother of Fairest Love, will be for Christians on the way to the Great Jubilee
of the Third Millennium the Star which safely guides their steps to the Lord.
May the unassuming Young Woman of Nazareth, who two thousand years ago offered
to the world the Incarnate Word, lead the men and women of the new millennium
towards the One who is "the true light that enlightens every man" (Jn
1:9).
With these sentiments I impart to all my
Blessing.
From the Vatican, on 10 November in the
year 1994, the seventeenth of my Pontificate.
|