Vatican City, Oct 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm
During his general audience this afternoon at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI continued his weekly catechesis on the Psalms saying that the holy city of Jerusalem symbolized for ancient Israel, the ideas of security, stability, and God's presence among the people. For Christians today, he said, the Holy City of the Church is supported fully on the foundation of our Redeemer--Jesus Christ.
Speaking to some 50,000 listeners, the Pope spoke on Psalm 121, which tells of "the joy of reaching Jerusalem, the holy city upon which we wish peace."
He called Jerusalem, "a city 'bound firmly together,' symbol of security and stability, is the heart of the unity of the twelve tribes of Israel which converge upon the city as the center of their faith and their worship."
But Jerusalem, he said, "contains another important element, which is also a sign of God's presence in Israel: the 'thrones for judgment' of the house of David: the dynasty of David is reigning, an expression of divine action in history."