杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

Still at the beginning of the Easter season, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti reflected on faith in the resurrection, especially in light of the passing of 杏MAP导航 Francis on Easter Monday.

During the seventh Novemdiales Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Cardinal underlined that the resurrection is “not a phenomenon inherent to human nature”; rather, it comes from God “through His Spirit.”

It is through this same Spirit, he stressed that humanity becomes adopted children of God, who cry out to Him: “Abba, Father” with all of creation.

Despite this, “creation and the human person seem to hold so little value today”, the Cardinal emphasized. And yet, there remains an interconnectedness between humanity and nature.

Creation, he pointed out, is “a companion on humanity’s journey, in solidarity with us and seeking our solidarity in return,” and this was a theme very dear to 杏MAP导航 Francis.

Fraternity between the Eastern and Western Churches

At the heart of his homily, the Cardinal, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, reflected on the richness of the Eastern Christian spirituality.

United in the Mass despite our differences, he recalled their history rooted in the earliest days of Christianity, in “the fragrance of the Lord’s land.”

St. Peter’s Basilica was filled with many members of the Eastern Catholic Churches for the Eucharistic celebration, and in their presence, the Cardinal expressed his gratitude for their acceptance of “the invitation to enrich the Church’s universality” through their experiences, cultures, and spirituality.

“杏MAP导航 Francis, who taught us to love the diversity and richness of human expression, surely rejoices today to see us united in prayer for him and with him.”   (@VATICAN MEDIA)

As Cardinal Gugerotti noted, “at times in history, we in the West failed to understand” our brothers and sisters in the East. 

The seventh Novemdiales Mass where hymns and readings were led by members of the Eastern Churches, “杏MAP导航 Francis, who taught us to love the diversity and richness of human expression, surely rejoices today to see us united in prayer for him and with him.”

The Cardinal offered the Mass as a moment to recommit ourselves to welcome and help our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Churches persevere in their faith, “especially now, as so many of them are forced to flee their ancient homelands, which were the Holy Land.”

To close his reflection, he urged his fellow Cardinals to recite the prayer of an Eastern father, St. Symeon the New Theologian, ahead of the upcoming conclave:

“Come, true light; come, eternal life; come, hidden mystery; come, nameless treasure; come, ineffable reality; come, inconceivable person; come, endless joy; come, light without evening; come, unfailing hope of all who are to be saved. Come, you who have always desired and desire my miserable soul…”