22/04/2024

Papal Orders’ Pilgrimage homilies - Rome, April 2024

Monday, 22nd April -  4th week of Easter 

Jesus tells us, “I am the gate”. A lot of people I have met said they thought it strange. Jesus, a gate?

In the Holy Land, 2000 years ago, for protection against wild animals, overnight  sheep were penned into an enclosure made of piled rocks. Thorns along the top of the rock walls protected the sheep from wild animals, and – as timber was very scarce and costly, the shepherd himself slept in the entrance, providing a door.

At baptism, entering into the pen, through Jesus, we become members of God’s family.

Every time I make those three crosses as we prepare to hear the Gospel at mass, reminds me that I am to think like Christ, communicate like Christ and love like Christ who, through the foot washing at the Last Supper  made it clear he was there to serve his followers. 

Servus servorum Dei – servant of the servants of God is the Papal claim. So as the Holy Father should, we should give our life for the benefit of others. Great way to live. 

It keeps me young, across my PIES: the four dimensions of our life. 

Physically, I watch my diet, exercise and sleep – so as to stay fit and useful. 

Intellectually I keep on studying, thinking and writing -so my preaching and teaching helps others.

Emotionally I am committed not just to a number of families of which I am an honorary member – but also the communities I serve – primarily on Kensington Square.

And spiritually, I stay close to Yesh, my best friend, known universally as Jesus, The Christ. With Him, I stay cheerful, optimistic and energised; boosting the morale of people I meet. This week, I hope, you.

As priest, I know I am here to serve. That is why I keep my homilies sharp and short.

Tuesday, 23rd April

The transferred Feast of St George, a very popular saint about whose real life little is known. As you may  know, England shares St George with Venice, Genoa, Portugal, Ethiopia and Catalonia- among others - as their patron saint. 

It is thought that he was a Roman military officer  of Cappadocian Greek descent, who was martyred in the 3rd or 4th century. Beyond this, early sources give conflicting information. The Crusades enhanced his mythological persona and history.

The Church in which we sit, is  dedicated to St Alphonsus Liguori, who died 1787 aged 90 year. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known as the Redemptorists, in November 1732.

In the Bible, the word "world" can have two diametrically opposite meanings.

It may refer to the earth, creation; which is beautiful. Creation is as we read in the early words of Genesis, is good. Humanity, very good.

On the other hand, as in ‘the devil, world and flesh’. It has been singled out by sources from St Thomas Aquinas" to the Council of Trent’, as "implacable enemies of the soul".

As we live in this beautiful creation, we need to be nourished by the nine Gospel Values of   Compassion, Courage, Forgiveness, Humility, Integrity, Justice, Kindness, Peace and Hope.

Living these virtues enhances our life – and makes as better witnesses to the Redeemer.

Wednesday 24th - Arthur Roche

Thursday, 25th April - St Mark, VCI – Stephen Wang

(25th April is a bank holiday in Italy, celebrating the Liberation from Nazi-fascists, with street events and celebrations.)

Friday, 26th April - 4th week of Easter 

Jesus told as that he was“ the Way, the Truth and the Life”

The older I become – and this May 6th I am to celebrate my 85th birthday – it becomes ever clearer that the values of Jesus are the true way to be fullness of life. The price we pay to live ever more like him, is more than worthwhile.

Thanks to belonging to the Church, I developed my believing that has shaped my behaving - which includes repentance and picking myself up and starting again.

As we come to the end of our pilgrimage, I don’t know about you, but my heart is full of gratitude and  buoyed up be increased hope. I am grateful for being invited to come and spend time with you.

Prior to my ordination in 1969, I spent four years here in Rome and had a chance to study its complex history. So, I became ‘a man of God’. Not ‘a man of the Church’. It has kept my heart buoyed up – no matter what.

Whenever I have passed through tricky times, I have kept on keeping on confident that as The Church has survived and thrived, my life – supported by the Holy Spirit – will carry on helping God help others. 

By giving, I have received so much – as I have in these past five days. So, I thank God for you and I  thank you for God.