Man's resistance to death becomes evident: somewhere - people have constantly thought - there must be some cure for death.
Sooner or later it should be possible to find the remedy not only for this or that illness, but for our ultimate destiny - for death itself.
Surely the medicine of immortality must exist.
Today too, the search for a source of healing continues ...
What would it really be like if we were to succeed, perhaps not in excluding death totally, but in postponing it indefinitely, in reaching an age of several hundred years? Would that be a good thing? Humanity would become extraordinarily old; there would be no more room for youth.
Capacity for innovation would die, and endless life would be no paradise, if anything a condemnation.
The true cure for death must be different.
It cannot lead simply to an indefinite prolongation of this current life.
It would have to transform our lives from within.
It would need to create a new life within us, truly fit for eternity: it would need to transform us in such a way as not to come to an end with death, but only then to begin in fullness.
What is new and exciting in the Christian message, in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, was and is that we are told: yes indeed, this cure for death, this true medicine of immortality, does exist.
It has been found.
It is within our reach.
In baptism, this medicine is given to us.
A new life begins in us, a life that matures in faith and is not extinguished by the death of the old life, but is only then fully revealed ...
Indeed, the cure for death does exist.
Christ is the tree of life, once more within our reach.
If we remain close to him, then we have life ...
Hence, Paul can say to the Philippians: "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!" (Ph 4: 4).
Joy cannot be commanded.
It can only be given.
The risen Lord gives us joy: true life.
We are already held for ever in the love of the One to whom all power in heaven and on earth has been given (d.
Mt 28: 18).
In this way, confident of being heard, we make our own the Church's Prayer over the Gifts from the liturgy of this night: Accept the prayers and offerings of your people.
With your help may this Easter mystery of our redemption bring to perfection the saving work you have begun in us.
Pope Benedict XVI
MAGNIFICAT Missalette P.250
MAGNIFICAT Missalette P.250
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