Homily by Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna
Dear Sister Esther Maria, there is a phrase from the Gospel of John Chapter 15 verse 9 that is fittingly written for you as you celebrate this Silver Jubilee “Remain in my love” this is our prayer for you, this is our prayer for each one of us. We thank you for your witness of fidelity to the Lord, and to his love. “Remain in his Love”.
This is an invitation to you, and we support you with prayer. There is also the mission that he is entrusting to you, especially on our Island. “Whatever you ask the Father in my name He may give you” (Jhn 16:23), the mission of intercession, the mission of prayer. He has promised us to become fruitful, because he has chosen us. He is also asking you, dear Sr Esther Maria, along with the members of the community, to intercede for us. He is willing to hear your prayers and to grant us to be his followers.
The first reading from Hosea is brief and to the point. “I will espouse you to me for ever. I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy. I will espouse you in fidelity” (Hosea2:19). This is our prayer for you today: that you may continue to meet your spouse Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth crucified and risen, in right and in justice in love and in mercy.
He is asking you to remain in his love, but to remain in his love is to stay continuously and continually in his mercy, and this is the basis of your fidelity, I will espouse you in fidelity. Yes, the Lord is your light and your salvation. You have nothing to fear even when the well seems to be dry. Remember your spiritual Mother and Father: Therese of Jesus and John of the Cross.
I would say that the word that links both readings is the word Love. He has chosen you because he has loved you, and we are witnesses. You received the Solemn Profession in a Jubilee Year, and you have come now to another Jubilee. So, you keep celebrating from one Jubilee to another, which is a good thing. From the Jubilee of the Millennium, you have come now to the Jubilee of Hope.
And so may your intercession for our country, for your family, for your Order, bring us more peace. Pray for us sister, we need your prayers, we are sinners. “Remain in his love” We need your intercession. May your prayers will be answered.
✠ Charles Jude Scicluna
Archbishop of Malta
