Pope’s homily at prayer service in preparation for Assisi interfaith peace meet

(October 26, 2011) “One who walks towards God cannot but transmit peace, and one who builds peace cannot but come close to God,” Pope Benedict XVI said on Wednesday. He was speaking in a homily at a prayer service in the Vatican in preparation for Thursday’s interfaith peace meeting which he has convoked in the central Italian town of Assisi on the 25^th anniversary of Pope John Paul’s first meeting there. Explaining the theme of Thursday’s meeting - “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace”, Pope Benedict explained the nature of Christ’s Kingdom of Peace from the readings from the Book of Zechariah and Luke’s Gospel. He said the king that Zechariah prophesied about is one who rides a hired donkey and not a rich chariot or horse of the mighty. Jesus enters Jerusalem not with a powerful army but as a poor and meek king of the poor of the Lord whose hearts are free of the lust for power and material riches; free of the desire and quest for dominion over others. The Pope said, Jesus is the king of those who have the inner freedom that makes one overcome greed, egoism that is in the world, aware that only God is their wealth. Jesus is a king who makes chariots and horses disappear, who breaks the bows and arrows of war, a king who realizes peace on the cross, linking earth and heaven and throwing a bridge of friendship among men. Stressing that evil is overcome with good, with love, the Pope said, the cross is the new bow of peace, sign and instrument of reconciliation, pardon and understanding, a sign that love is stronger than every violence and oppression.
Pope Benedict explained Christ’s Kingdom of Peace saying its universal dimensions cut across geography and every culture to the ends of the earth. His followers form a multitude of ‘islands of peace’ that irradiate peace. In communion with Him men become united among themselves into one body overcoming divisions, rivalries and rancour.
Quoting St. John Chrysostom, Pope Benedict said, “As long as we are lambs, we will win, and even when surrounded by numerous wolves, we will overcome them.” The Pope pointed out that “Christians must never give in to the temptation of becoming wolves among wolves, as it is not with power, force and violence that the Kingdom of peace of Christ is spread, but with the gift of self, with extreme love, even towards enemies.” Jesus conquers the world not with the force of arms, but with the strength of the cross, which is the true guarantee of victory. Hence to a disciple of Christ this means to be ready also to suffer and be martyred for Him so that good, love and peace may triumph in the world. In this regard, Pope Benedict explained the giant statue of St. Paul outside in St. Peter’s Square. He said the sword that St. Paul holds is not one of a great mercenary leading an imposing army, but rather points to his own martyrdom by the sword for the sake of Christ. Paul’s sword also refers to the force of truth that can often wound and hurt. The apostle himself remained faithful to the truth of Christ and gave his life for Him. The Pope concluded his homily saying that if we have to be the bearers of the peace of Christ’s kingdom we too must be ready to suffer, for “it is not the sword of the conqueror that builds peace, but the sword of one who suffers, of one who lays down his own life.