This is a local copy of an article that was found on the Vatican website, July 26,
1998:
The URL to get to this page (if it is still on the Vatican server) is:
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/or/or_eng/text.htm
This article shows the Pope (most of the world sincerely admires the Pope) bringing
Sunday sacredness to the forefront of the public's awareness. Look for increasing
pressure for businesses to close on Sunday, laws being enacted (or enforced), etc., in the
very near future. Please read National Sunday Law (on
this web site) for even more information concerning this phenomena.
SUNDAY ANGELUS: 26 JULY
Appreciate Sunday as feast day
Before praying
the Angelus in Castel Gandolfo on Sunday, 26 July, the Holy Father focused on the
"extraordinarily rich meaning" and importance of Sunday, referring to his recent
Apostolic Letter Dies Domini. Here is a translation of his reflection, which was
given in Italian.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. As I recalled in my recent Apostolic Letter Dies Domini, from the dawn of
Christianity Sunday has been considered as the day of Christ dies Christi since it
is linked to the memory of his Resurrection. Indeed, the Lord was raised on "the
first day after the Sabbath" (cf. Mt 16: 2, 9: Lk 24: 1; Jn
20: 1) and, in the early morning on this same day, the women who had gone there found
the tomb empty. The Gospel says that Jesus was recognized by Mary Magdalen; that he
accompanied the two disciples on the road to Emmaus; that he revealed himself to the
Eleven gathered together and reappeared to them on the following Sunday, overcoming the
disbelief and doubts of Thomas. Fifty days later, Pentecost occurred with the powerful
outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the newborn Church.
In a certain way Sunday is the continuation of these first Sundays in Christian
history: the day of the risen Christ and of the gift of the Spirit.
2. Unlike civil calendars, the liturgy does not consider Sunday the last day of the week
but indeed the first. In this way its dignity is underlined and it is stressed that
with Christ's Resurrection time "begins again", made fruitful by the seed of
eternity, and marches on towards its ultimate goal which is the glorious coming of the Son
of God, anticipated and prefigured by his victory over death.
Sunday is thus the day of faith par excellence, a day on which believers,
contemplating the face of the risen Christ, are called to repeat with Thomas:
"My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20: 28), and to relive in the Eucharist the
Apostles' experience when the Lord entered the Upper Room and made them a gift of his
Spirit.
3. Dear Brothers and Sisters, it is not difficult to see that this "holy day"
has an extraordinarily rich meaning. Its religious significance is naturally not in
opposition to the human values which make Sunday a time of rest, of enjoying nature and of
more relaxed social relations. These are values which unfortunately risk being frustrated
by a hedonistic and frenzied way of life. Living them in the light of the Gospel,
Christians impress their full meaning upon them.
May Mary help us appreciate Sunday as a feast day and a day of faith. May we
learn from her to spend it combining praise of God with real family relaxation.
After leading the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted the faithful in
several languages. To the English-speaking visitors and pilgrims he said:
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims, and invite you to make this
period of summer rest a time of spiritual growth and renewal. In particular I ask everyone
to rediscover the importance of Sunday, the day on which we are called to celebrate our
salvation through the risen Christ. God bless you all!
(ŠL'Osservatore Romano - 29 July 1998)
