#PopeFrancis "Mercy in our everyday life", at #HolyMass for #Mercy #Jubilee and Feast of St.Peter - FULL Video - Text
(Vatican Radio ) The Pope was speaking during his homily at Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Monday morning, as he celebrated the Feast of the Chair of Peter and the Jubilee of Mercy for the Roman Curia and all the Institutions related to the Holy See.
Before participating in the Mass, all those present gathered in the Paul VI Hall for a meditation on the theme "Mercy in our everyday life", and together with the Holy Father walked in procession through the Holy Door and into the Basilica. Excerpt Vatican Radio
FULL TEXT Homily of Pope Francis:
The liturgical feast of the Chair of St. Peter sees us gathered to celebrate the Jubilee of Mercy as a community of service of the Roman Curia, the Governorate, and Institutions connected with the Holy See. We have passed through the Holy Door and come to the tomb of the Apostle Peter to make our profession of faith; and today the Word of God enlightens our gestures in a special way.
In this moment, the Lord Jesus repeats his question to each of us: “And you, who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15). A clear and direct question, before which it is not possible to escape or remain neutral, put off a response or delegate it to someone else. But in it there is nothing inquisitorial; indeed, it is full of love! The love of our only Master, who today calls us to renew our faith in him, recognizing him as the Son of God and Lord of our lives. And the first one called to renew his profession of faith is the Successor of Peter, who bears the responsibility of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32).
Let us allow grace to mold our hearts anew to belief, and open our mouths to make the profession of faith and obtain salvation (cf. R 10:10). Let us make our own, then, the words of Peter: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). May our thoughts and gaze be fixed on Jesus Christ, the beginning and end of all the Church’s action. He is the foundation, and no one can lay any other (1 Cor. 3:11). He is the “rock” on which we must build.
St. Augustine reminds us of this with eloquent words, when he writes that the Church, while tossed and shaken by the events of history, “does not collapse, because it is founded on rock (petra), from which Peter derives his name. For petra (rock) is not derived from Peter, but Peter from petra; just as the name Christ is not derived from Christian, but the name Christian which comes from Christ. […] The rock is Christ, on whose foundation Peter also was built” (In John 124, 5: PL 35, 1972).
From this profession of faith derives for each one of us the duty of corresponding with God’s call. Pastors, above all, are asked to have as their model God himself, who cares for his flock.
The prophet Ezekiel described God’s way of acting: He seeks out the lost sheep, leads the strayed back to the fold, binds up the wounded, and heals the sick (34,16). This conduct is a sign of a love that knows no boundaries. It is a faithful, constant, unconditional dedication, so that his mercy might reach all those who are weakest.
And yet, we must not forget that the prophecy of Ezekiel follows on the observation of the shortcomings of the shepherds of Israel. Therefore, it is also good for us, who are called to be pastors in the Church, to allow the face of God, the Good Shepherd, to enlighten us, purify us, transform us and restore us fully renewed to our mission. Even in our workplaces may we feel, cultivate, and practice a strong pastoral sense, first of all with the people we meet every day. May no one will feel neglected or mistreated, but may everyone experience, here first of all, the loving care of the Good Shepherd.
We are called to be co-workers of God in an undertaking so important and unique as that of witnessing with our lives to the power of grace which transforms, and the might of the Spirit who renews. Let us allow the Lord to liberate us from every temptation that draws us away from what is essential to our mission, and rediscover the beauty of professing faith in the Lord Jesus.
Fidelity to the ministry combines well with the mercy we want to experience. In Sacred Scripture, moreover, faithfulness and mercy are an inseparable combination. Where you find one you also find the other, and in their reciprocity and complementary one can see the very presence of the Good Shepherd. The fidelity required of us is to act according to the Heart of Christ. As we heard in the words of the Apostle Peter, we must tend the flock “willingly” and become a “model” for all. In this way, “when the chief Shepherd is manifested” we will be able to receive the “unfading crown of glory” (1 Pt 5:4). FULL TEXT Aleteia
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