Pope Benedict XVI’s Homily at the Mass for the deceased Cardinals and Bishops during this year

(November 4, 2010) With feelings of affection we remember the Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops, giving thanks to God for the gifts bestowed on the Church through these our brothers who have preceded us in the sign of faith and now they rest in peace. With gratitude we offer our prayers to the Lord that he will welcome them into the bliss of Paradise, said Pope Benedict XVI. He said this in his homily during the Holy Mass for the departed, concelebrated in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, on Thursday morning. The Pontiff said that we remember these brothers as zealous pastors, whose ministry has always been marked with eschatological horizon that inspired hope in the promise of happiness to come. They were the witnesses of the Gospel message to live for things from above and have experienced the fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." As pastors they were animated by a deep faith, a strong desire to accept the person of Jesus and constantly contemplate him in prayer. Referring to the passage from John about the son of man being lifted up, the Pope said that the Evangelist John sees in the very mystery of the Cross the glory of Jesus, the glory of a love that gives itself completely in the passion and death. Thus the Cross, paradoxically a sign of condemnation, death, and emptiness, becomes a sign of redemption, of life, of victory, when, with eyes of faith, you can see the fruits of salvation. Remembering them as generous servants of the Gospel and of the Church, the Pope said that they will now fully experience the Lord in his mercy and fullness of redemption