The last Mass of the pilgrimage...
Already a number of group had gone as we celebrated the Mass for Evangelisation of Peoples at the Church of Santa Maria Liberatrice which was near our hotel...
Philippians 3:17-4:1
My brothers and sisters, be united in following my rule of life. Take as your models everybody who is already doing this and study them as you used to study us. I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ. They are destined to be lost. They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things.
For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.
So then, my brothers, sisters and dear friends, do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord. I miss you very much, dear friends; you are my joy and my crown.
his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad.
Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me;
from all my terrors he set me free.
let your faces not be abashed.
This poor one called, the Lord heard me
and rescued me from all my distress.
around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
They are happy who seek refuge in him.
John 12:24-26
‘I tell you, most solemnly,
unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies,
it remains only a single grain;
but if it dies,
it yields a rich harvest.
Anyone who loves their life loses it;
anyone who hates their life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life.
If anyone serves me, they must follow me,
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honour them.’
Reflection
Paul wrote to the Philippians, be united in following my rule of life. Take as your models everybody who is already doing this and study them as you used to study us. And haven't we seen this on our pilgrimage as we have seen models of faith, hope and love on our journey... I'm not talking about the saints we met... I'm talking about us, those who reached out to those with mobility issues, those who offered encouraging words and a listening ear, those who went the extra mile. We have all seen these acts of faith, hope and love which is befitting for those on the great hikoi, the great journey and pilgrimage of life.
Paul reminds us of destination... For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe. Our ultimate destination is love for we were created in love to love... And when we get there the whole idea is our hearts become one with the heart of God in that state where there is no bitterness, in anger, no divisions... And so life becomes the great apprenticeship of love.
it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves their life loses it. And he didn't just say it he did it... His agony in garden was just not about the fear of suffering, it was also about the giving up of his great love of his own life and relationships, of losing the contact of his mother, his friends, and human life itself. But his love for the Father and each of us is so much greater and he gave him self freely to take us on the journey with him to greater love.
Amen
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