Mass celebrated in Bellahouston Park (Glasgow, 16 September 2010)
Mass, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow Homily of the Holy Father
16 September
2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “The Kingdom of God is very near
to you!” (Lk 10:9). With these words of the Gospel we have just heard, I greet
all of you with great affection in the Lord. Truly the Lord’s Kingdom is already
in our midst! At this Eucharistic celebration in which the Church in Scotland gathers
around the altar in union with the Successor of Peter, let us reaffirm our faith in
Christ’s word and our hope – a hope which never disappoints – in his promises! I
warmly greet Cardinal O’Brien and the Scottish Bishops; I thank in particular Archbishop
Conti for his kind words of welcome on your behalf; and I express my deep gratitude
for the work that the British and Scottish Governments and the Glasgow city fathers
have done to make this occasion possible. Today’s Gospel reminds us that Christ
continues to send his disciples into the world in order to proclaim the coming of
his Kingdom and to bring his peace into the world, beginning house by house, family
by family, town by town. I have come as a herald of that peace to you, the spiritual
children of Saint Andrew and to confirm you in the faith of Peter (cf. Lk 22:32).
It is with some emotion that I address you, not far from the spot where my beloved
predecessor Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass nearly thirty years ago with you and
was welcomed by the largest crowd ever gathered in Scottish history. Much has happened
in Scotland and in the Church in this country since that historic visit. I note with
great satisfaction how Pope John Paul’s call to you to walk hand in hand with your
fellow Christians has led to greater trust and friendship with the members of the
Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and others. Let me encourage you
to continue to pray and work with them in building a brighter future for Scotland
based upon our common Christian heritage. In today’s first reading we heard Saint
Paul appeal to the Romans to acknowledge that, as members of Christ’s body, we belong
to each other (cf. Rom 12:5) and to live in respect and mutual love. In that
spirit I greet the ecumenical representatives who honour us by their presence. This
year marks the 450th anniversary of the Reformation Parliament, but also
the 100th anniversary of the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh,
which is widely acknowledged to mark the birth of the modern ecumenical movement.
Let us give thanks to God for the promise which ecumenical understanding and cooperation
represents for a united witness to the saving truth of God’s word in today’s rapidly
changing society. Among the differing gifts which Saint Paul lists for the building
up of the Church is that of teaching (cf. Rom 12:7). The preaching of the
Gospel has always been accompanied by concern for the word: the inspired word of God
and the culture in which that word takes root and flourishes. Here in Scotland, I
think of the three medieval universities founded here by the popes, including that
of Saint Andrews which is beginning to mark the 600th anniversary of its
foundation. In the last 30 years and with the assistance of civil authorities, Scottish
Catholic schools have taken up the challenge of providing an integral education to
greater numbers of students, and this has helped young people not only along the path
of spiritual and human growth, but also in entering the professions and public life.
This is a sign of great hope for the Church, and I encourage the Catholic professionals,
politicians and teachers of Scotland never to lose sight of their calling to use their
talents and experience in the service of the faith, engaging contemporary Scottish
culture at every level. The evangelization of culture is all the more important
in our times, when a “dictatorship of relativism” threatens to obscure the unchanging
truth about man’s nature, his destiny and his ultimate good. There are some who now
seek to exclude religious belief from public discourse, to privatize it or even to
paint it as a threat to equality and liberty. Yet religion is in fact a guarantee
of authentic liberty and respect, leading us to look upon every person as a brother
or sister. For this reason I appeal in particular to you, the lay faithful, in accordance
with your baptismal calling and mission, not only to be examples of faith in public,
but also to put the case for the promotion of faith’s wisdom and vision in the public
forum. Society today needs clear voices which propose our right to live, not in a
jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms, but in a society which works for
the true welfare of its citizens and offers them guidance and protection in the face
of their weakness and fragility. Do not be afraid to take up this service to your
brothers and sisters, and to the future of your beloved nation. Saint Ninian, whose
feast we celebrate today, was himself unafraid to be a lone voice. In the footsteps
of the disciples whom our Lord sent forth before him, Ninian was one of the very first
Catholic missionaries to bring his fellow Britons the good news of Jesus Christ.
His mission church in Galloway became a centre for the first evangelization of this
country. That work was later taken up by Saint Mungo, Glasgow’s own patron, and by
other saints, the greatest of whom must include Saint Columba and Saint Margaret.
Inspired by them, many men and women have laboured over many centuries to hand down
the faith to you. Strive to be worthy of this great tradition! Let the exhortation
of Saint Paul in the first reading be your constant inspiration: “Do not lag in zeal,
be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering and
persevere in prayer” (cf. Rom 12:11-12). I would now like to address a
special word to the bishops of Scotland. Dear brothers, let me encourage you in your
pastoral leadership of the Catholics of Scotland. As you know, one of your first
pastoral duties is to your priests (cf. Presbyterorum Ordinis, 7) and to their
sanctification. As they are alter Christus to the Catholic community, so you
are to them. Live to the full the charity that flows from Christ, in your brotherly
ministry towards your priests, collaborating with them all, and in particular with
those who have little contact with their fellow priests. Pray with them for vocations,
that the Lord of the harvest will send labourers to his harvest (cf. Lk 10:2).
Just as the Eucharist makes the Church, so the priesthood is central to the life of
the Church. Engage yourselves personally in forming your priests as a body of men
who inspire others to dedicate themselves completely to the service of Almighty God.
Have a care also for your deacons, whose ministry of service is associated in a particular
way with that of the order of bishops. Be a father and a guide in holiness for them,
encouraging them to grow in knowledge and wisdom in carrying out the mission of herald
to which they have been called. Dear priests of Scotland, you are called to holiness
and to serve God’s people by modelling your lives on the mystery of the Lord’s cross.
Preach the Gospel with a pure heart and a clear conscience. Dedicate yourselves to
God alone and you will become shining examples to young men of a holy, simple and
joyful life: they, in their turn, will surely wish to join you in your single-minded
service of God’s people. May the example of Saint John Ogilvie, dedicated, selfless
and brave, inspire all of you. Similarly, let me encourage you, the monks, nuns and
religious of Scotland to be a light on a hilltop, living an authentic Christian life
of prayer and action that witnesses in a luminous way to the power of the Gospel.
Finally, I would like to say a word to you, my dear young Catholics of Scotland.
I urge you to lead lives worthy of our Lord (cf. Eph 4:1) and of yourselves.
There are many temptations placed before you every day - drugs, money, sex, pornography,
alcohol - which the world tells you will bring you happiness, yet these things are
destructive and divisive. There is only one thing which lasts: the love of Jesus
Christ personally for each one of you. Search for him, know him and love him, and
he will set you free from slavery to the glittering but superficial existence frequently
proposed by today’s society. Put aside what is worthless and learn of your own dignity
as children of God. In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks us to pray for vocations: I pray
that many of you will know and love Jesus Christ and, through that encounter, will
dedicate yourselves completely to God, especially those of you who are called to the
priesthood and religious life. This is the challenge the Lord gives to you today:
the Church now belongs to you! Dear friends, I express once more my joy at celebrating
this Mass with you. I am happy to assure you of my prayers in the ancient language
of your country: Sìth agus beannachd Dhe dhuibh uile; Dia bhi timcheall oirbh;
agus gum beannaicheadh Dia Alba. God’s peace and blessing to you all; God surround
you; and may God bless the people of Scotland!