(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis delivered the homily at a penitential service over which
he was presiding in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday afternoon. The order of the celebration
included Psalms, readings from Sacred Scripture, and hymns, all focused on the theme
of repentance and God’s boundless mercy.
The service was a part of the “24
Hours for the Lord” initiative, being celebrated throughout the Rome diocese and in
many local Churches throughout the world, in which the faithful receive the Sacrament
of Reconciliation and then become special ambassadors of Christ’s mercy, inviting
people to avail themselves of the Lord’s forgiveness in churches that are to remain
open through the night.
Below, please find Vatican Radio’s translation of the
full text of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks…
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In
the period of Lent, the Church, in the name of God, renews the call to conversion.
It is the call to change one’s life. Conversion is not a matter of a moment or a year,
is a commitment that lasts a lifetime. Who among us can be assumed not to be a sinner?
No one. The Apostle John writes: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous so
as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).”
This is what happens in our celebration and throughout this day of penance. The Word
of God we have heard introduces us to two essential elements of the Christian life.
The
first [is]: put on the new man. The new man, “created according to God(Eph 4:24),”
is born in Baptism, where one receives the very life of God, which makes us His sons
and incorporates us into Christ and his Church. This new life allows one to look at
reality with different eyes, without being distracted by things that do not matter
and cannot last long. For this we are called to abandon sinful behaviour and fix our
gaze on that, which is essential. “Man is more precious for what he is than for what
he has. (Gaudium et Spes, 35)” Behold the difference between the life deformed by
sin and the life illumined by grace. From the heart of the man renewed according to
God come good behaviors: always to speak with truth and avoid any lie; to steal not,
but rather to share what you have with others; especially with those in need; not
to give in to anger, resentment and revenge, but to be gentle, magnanimous and ready
to forgive; not to fall into backbiting that ruins people’s good name, but to look
more rather on each person’s positive side.
The second factor [is]: Remain
in my love. The love of Jesus Christ lasts forever, will never end because it is the
very life of God. This love conquers sin and gives strength to get up and start anew,
because with pardon the heart is renewed and rejuvenated. Our Father never tires of
loving and His eyes did not grow heavy in looking at the way home, to see if his Son
who left and was lost will return. And this Father does not tire of loving even His
other son, who, though he remains ever in the house with Him, nevertheless does not
take part in His mercy, His compassion. God is not only the source of love, but in
Jesus Christ calls us to imitate his own way of loving: “As I have loved you, so you
also should love one another. (Jn 13:34)” To the extent that Christians live this
love, they become credible disciples of Christ in the world. Love cannot stand to
remain locked up in itself. By its very nature [Love] is open, it spreads and is fruitful,
[it] always generates new love.
Dear brothers and sisters, after this celebration,
many of you will make yourselves missionaries to the experience of reconciliation
with God. “24 hours for the Lord” is an initiative in which many dioceses all over
the world are participating. To everyone you meet, you will communicate the joy of
receiving the Father’s forgiveness and regaining full friendship with Him. The one
who experiences the mercy of God, is driven to be the creator of mercy among the poor
and the least. In these “littlest brothers and sisters” Jesus waits for us (cf. Mt
25:40). Let us go to meet them! And we will celebrate Easter in the joy of God!