Pope John Paul I (Albino Luciani) was beatified. Gospel thoughts shared by Pope Francis during the Eucharistic celebration held on September 4 in the courtyard of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Joey Kariveli, Vatican City
Pope John Paul I was elevated to the rank of beatified in the Church. On Sunday, September 4 (04/09/22) morning, at 10:30 Rome time, 2:00 pm India time, Pope Francis beatified John Paul I, also known as the “Smiling Pope”, during the Holy Mass offered in the courtyard of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The reference for the reflection on the Gospel by the Pope during this ceremony was the Gospel reading during the Holy Mass, that is, the verses from the Gospel of Luke, 14, 25-33, which deals with the price to be paid to become Christ’s disciples. Papa said:
Conditions for following Jesus
Today’s Gospel says that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, and “a great multitude went with him” (Luke 14:25). To go with him means to follow him, that is, to be a disciple. However, the Lord addresses these people with a very unattractive and highly conditional discourse: one who does not love it more than his own loved ones, who does not carry his own cross, who does not renounce earthly things, cannot be his disciple (cf. Luke: 14, 26-27.33). Why does Jesus say these words to the crowd? What is the meaning of the warnings there? Let us try to answer these questions.
False leaders
First, we see a large crowd of people following Jesus. We can imagine that many were attracted by his words and amazed at his actions; Therefore, they may have seen in him a hope for their future. What would any guru of that time have done, or – we may ask – what would a shrewd leader have seen that his words and siddhis would attract crowds and increase his consensus? It still happens today: especially in moments of personal and social crisis, or when we are more susceptible to feelings of anger or something that threatens our future, we become more vulnerable; Thus, in an emotional wave, we capitalize on society’s fear and promise to be the “savior” who will solve the problems, relying on those who have the skill and strategy to overcome the situation. But in reality they want to increase their satisfaction, their power, their fame and their ability to control everything.
Different styles of God
The Gospel says that Jesus does not do this. God’s style is different. It is important to understand God’s style, God’s way of working. God works in a different way than those people, because He does not make our needs difficult, He never uses our weaknesses for His growth. He who does not want to deceive us and seduce us, who does not want to provide us with cheap pleasures, is not interested in Mahajananchaya. He is not a worshiper of numbers, does not seek consensus, and does not worship personal success. On the contrary, he seems troubled when people follow him with exuberance and frenzied joy. Popularity is attractive, and therefore, instead of allowing itself to be attracted by the allure of popularity, he asks each one to carefully discern the reasons for following it and the consequences involved.
Don’t be superficially religious
Many of that multitude, in fact, followed Jesus, perhaps because they expected him to be a leader who would deliver them from their enemies and seize power and share it with them; Or maybe it was because he thought that the problems of hunger and sickness would be solved by a miracle. In fact, one follows the Lord for various reasons, some of which, we must recognize, are worldly: behind a seemingly flawless outward religiosity, one can hide the sheer fulfillment of one’s own needs, lust for position, desire to dominate everything, greed for space and favors, desire for recognition and so on. This also happens among Christians. But this is not the style of Jesus, it cannot be the style of the disciple and the church. If anyone follows Jesus with such personal interests, he is wrong.
Take up your own cross
The Lord requires a different attitude. Following Him does not mean entering a congregation or participating in a victory march, nor does it mean accepting a lifetime security assurance plan (life insurance). On the contrary, it also means “carrying the cross” (Luke 14:27): to take up your own burdens and those of others, as he did, to make life a gift, not an accumulation, and to spend it in imitation of the generous and merciful love he shows us. These are choices that embrace the totality of existence; For this reason, Jesus wants the disciple to place nothing, not even the dearest affections and the greatest wealth, before this love.
We are the subject of God’s eternal love
But to do this, we must look to Him more than ourselves, learn love, and surrender from the cross. There we see that love which is given unto the end without measure and boundless. The measure of love is love without measure. Pope Luciani said that we ourselves are “the object of God’s eternal love” (Triennial Prayer, 10 September 1978). Timeless: It never disappears from our lives, it shines in us and illuminates even the darkest nights. Then, looking at the Crucifixion, we are called to the height of that love: that is, to cleanse ourselves of our distorted ideas about God and our closures, to love the Church and the world there and others, those who do not think like us, even our enemies.
Love at the cost of your life
Love even if it costs the cross of sacrifice, silence, misunderstanding, loneliness, being hindered and persecuted. Love by paying this price, because – Blessed John Paul I says again – if you want to kiss Jesus crucified, “you cannot without bending over the cross and being pierced by any thorn in the crown of the Lord’s head” (General Assembly, September 27 1978). Love to the end with all the thorns of love: not half things, comforts, or quiet lives. Jesus says that if we do not aim high, if we do not dare, if we are satisfied with a superficial faith, we are like one who wants to build a tower, but does not calculate the means; He “lays the foundation” but cannot finish the work” (Luke 14,29). If we don’t give ourselves for fear of losing ourselves, we leave things unfinished: relationships, work, responsibilities entrusted to us, dreams, even faith. Then we end up living halfway. , how many people live a half-life without ever taking a decisive step, without taking off, without daring for good, without really striving for others. We too are often tempted by half-life. Jesus asks us: Are you living the Gospel, are you living life, not halfway, but to the extreme. Will you live the Gospel and life without compromise? ?
On the path of humility
Brothers and sisters, the newly blessed lived like this: uncompromisingly, loving to the end in the joy of the gospel. He embodied the poverty of the disciple of Christ. This poverty is not only about distancing oneself from material things, but also about overcoming the temptation to center oneself above all else and seek one’s own glory. The newly blessed John Paul I was a meek and humble shepherd, following the example of Jesus. He thought he was the dust ordained by God to write (cf. A. LUCIANI / JOHN PAUL I, Opera omnia, Padua 1988, vol. II, 11). That’s why he said: “The Lord has recommended a lot: be humble. Even if you have done great things, say: we are unfruitful servants” (general meeting September 6, 1978).
the smile
Papa Luciani was able to spread the goodness of the Lord with a smile. Beautiful is a church that never closes its doors, never hardens its heart, never complains, never resents, never gets angry or impatient, never indulges in hatred or retrospect, never harbors nostalgia for the past, with a cheerful and calm smiling voice. Let us pray to this Father, brothers and sisters, to give us the “Smile of the Spirit” that is transparent and unmistakable. Let us plead with the words that he himself used to pray: “Lord, accept me as I am, with my faults and failings, and make me according to your will” Amen (General Meeting, 13 September 1978).
Pope’s words of thanksgiving before noon prayer
After sharing the Gospel thoughts, the Holy Mass continued and the Pope led the midday prayer before the closing rites. Before the prayer, the Pope thanked the Church representatives and others, including Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, for the proclamation of the Blessed Word.
Pray for peace of mind
The Pope invited everyone to seek the intercession of the Holy Virgin Mary in order to obtain the gift of peace for the whole world, especially for the oppressed Ukraine, and the Pope wished that the Virgin Mary, the first and perfect disciple of the Lord, would help us to follow the example and holiness of Blessed John Paul I. After that, the Pope led the opening prayer, Angel of the Lord, and gave the closing homily.