St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta
14th April 2012
Your Excellency President of Malta and Mrs Abela,
The joy of Easter, which is the joy of the risen Christ, fills our hearts during these present days. It is a joy which arises from the certainty that our Lord dwells among us, his community. On this occasion, our joy is enhanced as we celebrate the seventh anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.
Today’s liturgy, which is that of the second Sunday of Easter, helps us to reflect, as we celebrate this occasion.
1. The Word of God which has just been announced to us speaks of the Risen Christ, who appeared to his apostles on two different occasions: the first time he appeared was on the day he rose from the dead; he also appeared to them again eight days later. Jesus Christ who conquered death, encounters the community of his disciples. Naturally it did not suffice for them to discover an empty tomb, that same tomb where he had been laid to rest on Friday. It was also important for them to gain first-hand experience of his resurrection. Jesus desired that they see him with their own eyes; he also wanted them to hear him speak so that he could give them words of encouragement. Moreover, in order to believe, Thomas had to touch the wounds of Jesus’ glorified body. Jesus wished his apostles to have this first-hand experience of him. It was a personal experience for each and every one of them, yet at the same time it was a communitarian experience. As we read in the Scripture passage, Jesus did not only give them his peace, but he also wished to renew his friendship with them, and theirs with him.
In several of his homilies and writings, as well as in the course of his pastoral visits, Pope Benedict XVI emphasizes this particular point: personal friendship with Jesus. He also spoke about this when he addressed youths during World Youth Day last August in Madrid. The words of the Pope apply to everyone. They apply also to us. Let us embrace his words as a challenge. Let us do our utmost in order that we may all, in our personal lives, as we fulfill our respective responsibilities, in our contacts with other people, keep this friendship with Jesus as the guiding light in our lives.
2. The second reading from the First Letter of John emphasises the love which exists between us. The author tells us: “In this way we know that we love God’s children, when we love God and keep his commandments.” He adds on: “This is what the love of God is: keeping his commandments. Nor are his commandments burdensome, because every child of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1 John 5, 2-4).
We all know that we live in a world, in a society, which often does not accept the teachings of Jesus; rather, his teachings are sometimes viewed with hostility. This can be seen and tangibly felt and it can be a cause for us to lose heart. Today our Lord, through his Word is telling us: “this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5,4).
Six months ago, Pope Benedict, announced the celebration of The Year of Faith, which will commence this coming October. During this year, it is the Pope’s wish that we deepen our faith through instruction and catechesis. In conjunction with the Pope’s proposal I once again emphasis the words of the Second Reading: “this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5,4). Those of us who have faith in Jesus, those of us who have first-hand experience of him and his Word, are responsible for passing on this message to the world around us. In such a manner, we are doing our part, small though it may be, in the New Evangelization which is so dear to our Pope.
3. The First Reading, a short, but profound one, from the Acts of the Apostles, speaks of the behaviour and attitudes of the people who formed part of the first Christian community: “The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, as everything they owned was held in common…None of their members was ever in want…everything was then distributed to any who might be in need” (Acts 4, 32. 34-35). It emerges very clearly that the members of this first community recognized their duties towards one another. They supported one another. They shared their lives. We can tie up this reflection with a recent message of the Pope.
At the end of his latest pastoral visit to Cuba, just over two weeks ago, a visit which was so widely followed and reported in the media, Pope Benedict prayed that “The light of the Lord… helps all people to foster social harmony and to allow the blossoming of all that is finest in the Cuban soul, its most noble values, which can be the basis for building a society of broad vision, renewed and reconciled. … Open your heart to his Gospel so as to renew authentically your personal and social life (Pope Benedict XVI’s farewell address at Havana’s José Martì airport, 28.03.2012).
This can be our prayer too: that we may open up our hearts to the words of the Gospel and to the redeeming power of the Risen Christ; in order that we may grow in our friendship with Jesus; and that we may pass on our faith to others responsibly. We can do all of this, united in one spirit with Pope Benedict and his teachings. Let us also pray during this Eucharistic Celebration, that the Lord may continue to enlighten our Pope as he fulfills his mission.
+ PAUL CREMONA O.P.
Archbishop of Malta
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