杏MAP导航 at Mass: Let us be challenged by Jesus, like Peter and Paul
By Christopher Wells
杏MAP导航 Francis offered Mass for the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul in the Vatican Basilica, built over the tomb of St Peter. In accordance with a long-standing tradition, the Holy Father also blessed the pallia, an ecclesiastical garment presented to metropolitan archbishops as a symbol of unity with the Holy See.
In his homily, the 杏MAP导航 reflected on the themes of 鈥渦nity鈥� and 鈥減rophecy.鈥�
Unity the fruit of prayer
Although very different in experience and personality, Peter and Paul were united as brothers, the Holy Father said. Their closeness to one another was not a result of natural inclination, he explained, but came from the Lord, who commands us to love one another. 鈥淗e is the one who unites us,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渨ithout making us all alike.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis explained that the source of unity is prayer, and pointed to the example of the Church praying together for St Peter when he was in prison. The faithful of the time did not complain about persecution but gathered together in prayer.
If we spent more time in prayer and less time complaining, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渟o many doors would be opened, so many chains that bind would be broken.鈥�
Prophecy follow challenges
The challenges faced by Peter and Paul led to 鈥減rophecy,鈥� the second theme of the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 homily. 鈥淭he Apostles were challenged by Jesus,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said: Peter, when Jesus asked the Apostles, 鈥淲ho do you say that I am?鈥�; and Paul, when Jesus asked him, 鈥淪aul, Saul, why do you persecute me?鈥�
鈥淭hese challenges and reversals,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渁re followed by prophecies.鈥� At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus tells Peter he will be the rock on which He will found His Church. Paul, after his conversion, became the Lord鈥檚 鈥渃hosen instrument鈥� to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.
鈥淧rophecy is born whenever we allow ourselves to be challenged by God,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis.
Need for real prophecy
鈥淭oday we need prophecy, real prophecy,鈥� he continued. Real prophecy does not consist in spectacular displays, but in bearing witness in one鈥檚 life to the love of God: 鈥淭his is how Peter and Paul preached Jesus, as men in love with God.鈥�
Their love led them to offer their lives as martyrs: 鈥淭hat was prophecy,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渁nd it changed history.鈥�
Recalling once again the Lord鈥檚 prophecy to Peter, the rock, 杏MAP导航 Francis said there is a similar promise for us.
鈥淛ust as the Lord turned Simon into Peter,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 explained, 鈥渟o He is calling each one of us, in order to make us living stones with which to build a renewed Church and a renewed unity.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis concluded inviting everyone to allow ourselves to 鈥渂e challenged by Jesus鈥� and to respond to His call to be 鈥渂uilders of unity鈥� and 鈥減rophets of God鈥檚 heaven on earth.鈥�
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