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POPE-AUDIENCE Nov-9-2005 (400 words) With photos. xxxi
World is 'intelligent project' that reflects divine origin, pope says
By John Thavis
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said that far from being a product of chance the created world is an "intelligent project" that reflects a divine origin.
The pope made the remarks at a general audience at the Vatican Nov. 9, commenting about Psalm 136, which gives thanks for creation.
The pope quoted St. Basil the Great, who in the fourth century warned that some people, "fooled by the atheism that they carry inside them, imagine the universe deprived of direction and order, as if at the mercy of chance."
Speaking extemporaneously to the crowd in St. Peter's Square, the pope said St. Basil's words had "surprising relevance" today.
"How many people are there today who, fooled by atheism, think and try to demonstrate that it would be scientific to think that everything is without direction and order," he said.
"Through sacred Scripture, the Lord reawakens the reason that sleeps and tells us that in the beginning is the creative word, the creative reason, the reason that has created everything, that has created this intelligent project," he said.
The pope said it was important to understand that "the cosmos is also love." He said Psalm 136 correctly points to the created world as the place to find visible signs of divine charity.
"The signs of God's love are seen in the marvels of creation and in the great gifts he has given to his people. The Fathers of the Church teach us to recognize in created things the greatness of God and his merciful love toward us," he said.
St. Basil, he said, was filled with wonder as he reflected upon the mystery of creation. The pope quoted the saint's description of God as "beauty greater than any that can be desired, the beginning of all beings, the source of life, the light of understanding, inaccessible wisdom."
The pope said the presence of God in creation was a "cosmic revelation" available to everyone, but he said one must have "clear eyes" to contemplate and understand this revelation, a process that is aided by prayer.
He said the reading of Psalm 136 also underlines that the creator addressed in prayer is "not a cold, distant God, but one who loves his creatures and suffers when they are unfaithful to him, when they reject his merciful fatherly affection."
END
Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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