杏MAP导航

By Susy Hodges

杏MAP导航 Francis focused his reflections on the day鈥檚 reading from the Acts of the Apostles where Paul, 鈥渃ompelled by the Holy Spirit,鈥� takes his leave from the Church Elders at Ephesus to go to Jerusalem. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a decisive move, a move that reaches the heart, it鈥檚 also a move that shows us the pathway for every bishop when it鈥檚 time to take his leave and step down,鈥� he said.

Paul鈥檚 examination of conscience

Retracing the biblical account of how Paul summoned the presbyters of the Church at Ephesus to take his leave of them, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted how the Apostle made an examination of his conscience, telling the Elders what he had done for the community and leaving them to judge his work. Paul seemed 鈥渁 bit proud,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航, but in actual fact 鈥渉e is objective.鈥�  He only boasts about two things: 鈥渉is own sins and the Cross of Jesus Christ which saved him.鈥�

The Apostle is listening to the Holy Spirit

Describing how Paul feels 鈥渃ompelled by the Holy Spirit鈥� to go to Jerusalem, 杏MAP导航 Francis said: 鈥淭his experience by the bishop, the bishop who can discern the Spirit, who can discern when it is the Spirit of God speaking to him and who knows how to defend himself when spoken to by the spirit of the world.鈥�

In some way, the 杏MAP导航 said, Paul knows that he is going 鈥渢owards trials, towards the cross and this recalls for us Jesus鈥� entry into Jerusalem, doesn鈥檛 it?鈥�

The Apostle, he went on, 鈥渋s obediently offering himself up to the Lord. That (expression) compelled by the Holy Spirit. The bishop who always goes forward but according to the Holy Spirit.  This is Paul.鈥�

His farewell: watch over the flock

Turning next to Paul鈥檚 farewell words, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted how Paul takes his leave amidst the pain of those present by giving them advice in a testament which is not a worldly testament 鈥渁bout leaving belongings to this person or that person.鈥� 

Paul鈥檚 great love, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渋s Jesus Christ.  His second love is for his flock. Take care of each other and of the entire flock. Keep watch over the flock: you are bishops for your flock, to take care of it and not in order to advance your ecclesiastical career.鈥�

Paul鈥檚 testament

Noting how Paul entrusted the Elders to God, knowing that He will take care of them, the 杏MAP导航 stressed that the Apostle spoke of having no desire to have any money or gold for himself. He described Paul鈥檚 testament as 鈥渁 witness, as well as an announcement and a challenge.鈥� This was no worldly testament, said 杏MAP导航 Francis because Paul had nothing to leave to others, 鈥渙nly the grace of God, his apostolic courage, Jesus Christ鈥檚 revelation and the salvation that Our Lord had granted him.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 thinks about when his time will come

鈥淲hen I read this, I think about myself, he declared, 鈥渂ecause I am a bishop and I must take my leave and step down.鈥�

He concluded his homily with a prayer: 鈥淚 am thinking of all bishops. May the Lord grant all of us the grace to be able to take our leave and step down in this way (like Paul), with that spirit, with that strength, with that love for Jesus Christ and this faith in the Holy Spirit.鈥�