Skip to main content
The “rock” of our faith is not found in “wise and persuasive words,” Pope Francis said, but rather in the “living word” which is Christ's death and resurrection. Human history culminating in Christ's coming was the main focus of the Pope's homily for Mass, celebrated in Saint Peter's Basilica on behalf of all cardinals and bishops who have died over the last twelve months. Jesus' death and resurrection, said Pope Francis, “represents the culmination of the entire journey: it is the event of the resurrection which responds to the people of God's long search, to the search of every man and all of humanity.” “Each of us is invited to enter into this event,” he continued. Like Mary, the women, and the centurion, we are first called to be before the Cross. There, we are to “listen to Jesus' cry, and his last breath, and finally the silence,” which continues until Holy Saturday. After that, the Holy Father continued, “we are called to go to the tomb,” and hear the words: “He is risen. He is not here”. The answer, the “foundation, the rock” lies here, Pope Francis said, “in the living word of the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus,” not in “wise persuasive arguments.” The Holy Father recalled the words of Saint Paul, saying if Jesus is “not risen, then our faith is empty and inconsistent. However, since he is Risen, in fact, and He is the Resurrection, therefore our faith is full of truth and eternal life.” “Thanks to the Word of God,” the Pope said, reflecting on the readings for the Mass of suffrage, “this celebration is illuminated by faith in the Resurrection.” “All of Divine Revelation is the fruit of dialogue between God and His people,” the Holy Father said, and “faith in the Resurrection is tied to this dialogue,” accompanying God's people throughout history. It is no wonder, he added, that a mystery as decisive and “superhuman” as the Resurrection necessitated the lengthy journey ending with Jesus Christ. Jesus can say he is the “resurrection and the life,” Pope Francis continued, because in Him the mystery is not only fully revealed, it is actualized, and for the first time becomes a “definitive reality.” Concluding his homily, Pope Francis recalled the cardinals and bishops who have died over the past year. “Our prayer is enriched by sentiments, memories, gratitude for the witness of persons we knew, with whom we shared the service of the Church,” he said. Pope Francis closed his homily by entrusting the departed to the “gaze of the Heavenly Father” and the intercession of Mary. “Together with the faithful who have served here on earth, may they delight in the Joy of the New Jerusalem.”

Popular posts from this blog

Pope Saint John Paul II and the Socialist Threat

Pope Saint John Paul II , a towering figure of the 20th century, was a staunch critic of socialist ideologies. He recognized the inherent flaws in systems that sought to control economies and societies through centralized planning and state ownership. The pontiff's teachings offered a prophetic warning against the dangers of such regimes, which often led to oppression, poverty, and the erosion of individual freedoms. Recently, a conference organized by the Catholic Association of Propagandists in Spain brought together prominent figures who echoed the concerns raised by the late Pope. Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante boldly declared socialism an "enemy of the cross," highlighting its incompatibility with Christian values. He emphasized the need for a spiritual renewal, urging individuals to embrace the cross as a path to true happiness and fulfillment. French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj also addressed the challenges posed by modern society, warning ag...

Jesus Came to End Death and to Build a Church

The twelve apostles chosen by Jesus formed the bedrock of the early Church , and their Catholic identity is deeply rooted in their direct relationship with Christ and the mission He entrusted to them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights this foundational role, stating that Jesus "instituted the Twelve as 'the seeds of the new Israel and the beginning of the sacred hierarchy'" ( CCC 860 ). These men were not simply followers; they were handpicked by Jesus, lived intimately with Him, witnessed His miracles and teachings firsthand, and were specifically commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). Their unique position as eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and their reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, established them as the authoritative leaders of the nascent Church, a reality echoed in the writings of early Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch, who emphasized the apostles' authority as repre...

Unpacking Prophecy: Common Pitfalls in Scriptural Interpretation

One of the most significant hurdles people face when engaging with Scripture lies in the interpretation of prophecy. It's a common misconception that prophetic passages inherently refer to future events, leading many to overlook their immediate context. A crucial starting point for understanding prophecy is to first look for its fulfillment in the time period closest to the prophet. Only after considering this contemporary application should we then explore the possibility of more distant or future fulfillments. This foundational principle helps to ground our understanding and prevent misinterpretations that can arise from solely focusing on what's to come. Beyond the tendency to project all prophecy into the future, another pervasive error is adopting an "egocentric" interpretation, where individuals believe biblical prophecy is primarily about them. While extreme examples involve figures like Charles Manson or David Koresh claiming to be prophesied individuals, a ...