杏MAP导航 prays for Cardinals and Bishops who died in the past year
By Christopher Wells
杏MAP导航 Francis celebrated Mass on Monday morning for the seven Cardinals and more than 120 Bishops who died during the course of the past year.
In his homily, the 杏MAP导航 reflected on the words of the good thief, who was crucified with Jesus: 鈥淛esus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.鈥�
The good thief was not one of Jesus鈥� disciples, but a criminal who met Jesus only at the end of his life. 鈥淵et in the Gospel,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渢he last words of this 鈥榦utsider鈥� initiate a dialogue full of truth.鈥� We can identify with 鈥渢hat criminal鈥� who received 鈥渢he due reward of his deeds鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said; 鈥測et even more importantly,鈥� we can join him in asking Jesus to remember us, to keep us alive in memory.
杏MAP导航 Francis invited the faithful to meditate on the word 鈥渞emember,鈥� which in Italian means 鈥渢o carry in the heart.鈥� At the final hour, the good thief desired only 鈥渢o find a welcoming heart鈥� and Jesus 鈥渉eard the sinner鈥檚 prayer, even at the end, as He always does.鈥�
The Holy Father insisted that 鈥淛esus鈥� remembrance is effective because it is rich in mercy,鈥� and reminded his listeners that 鈥渂y turning to the heart of God, men and women of every age can find hope for salvation.鈥�
Finally, recalling that Jesus 鈥渋s a compassionate and merciful judge,鈥� the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 thoughts turned in particular to the Bishops and Cardinals who have died in the last twelve months. 鈥淭oday, our remembrance becomes a prayer of intercession for them,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith firm hope, let us look forward to rejoicing with them in heaven!鈥�
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