© Vatican Media
Santa Marta Sunday: Pope Francis Laments Many Dying Alone – ‘We pray in a special way for the dying and for their families’
“In these days we’re hearing the news of so many people who are dying…dying alone, without being able to say goodbye to their loved ones”. These were the words with which Pope Francis began his Mass on Sunday morning at the Casa Santa Marta, reported Vatican News.
“Let’s think about them and pray for them. For families as well, who cannot accompany their loved ones on that journey. We pray in a special way for the dying and for their families.”
Pope Francis began his homily saying the 9th Chapter of John “speaks for itself”. It’s a “proclamation of Jesus Christ”, and a “catechesis”, he said. The rest of his homily was a reflection on the words of St Augustine which the Pope said “always touch” him: “I am afraid when the Lord passes by because I am afraid that He will pass and I might not notice Him”.
“One thing is true. In Jesus’ presence, the true sentiments of the heart come forth. Our true attitudes come out,” the Holy Father said. “This is a grace. Because of this St Augustine was afraid to let Him pass by without realizing it.”
When Jesus passes by, He heals the blind man and creates a “scandal”. “It brings out both the best and the worst in people”, the Pope continued. This brought out the best in the blind man:
“The blind man’s wisdom in how he responds is astonishing. He was used to moving around with his hands. He could sniff danger. He sensed anything that was dangerous and might make him slip. He moved around like a blind person. His arguments are clear and precise. He even uses irony.”
This scandal, instead, brought out the worst in the doctors of the law:
“They knew all of the laws, every single one of them. But they were fixated there. They didn’t understand when God was passing by. They were rigid, attached to their customs. Jesus Himself says so in the Gospel…. And so, in order to preserve these customs, committing an injustice wasn’t a problem because their customs said that [what Jesus had done] was not just. That rigidity led them to commit an injustice. Jesus’ presence evoked the sentiment of closure”.
Pope Francis concluded his homily with the invitation to “pick up the Gospel today…and read it calmly at home, one or two times, in order to really understand what happens when Jesus passes by.
“May it provoke our sentiments to come out so we might understand well what Saint Augustine tells us, ‘I’m afraid when the Lord passes because He might pass by and I may not recognize it and convert myself.’ ”
Read the source: https://zenit.org/articles/santa-marta-sunday-pope-laments-many-dying-alone/
© Vatican Media
Full Translation of Pope’s Sunday Homily at Santa Marta
‘In Jesus’ presence, the heart’s true sentiments flower’
Following is Zenit’s translation of the Holy Father’s March 22, 2020, homily delivered at Mass at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. Original text provided by Vatican News.
******
This passage of John’s Gospel (Cf. 9:1-41) speaks for itself. It’s an announcement of Jesus Christ and also a catechesis. I would like to refer only to one thing. Saint Augustine has a phrase that has always struck me: “I am afraid of Christ when He passes” – “Timeo Dominum Transeuntem.” I am afraid that Jesus will pass.” “But why are you afraid of the Lord?” – “I am afraid of not being aware that it is Christ and let Him pass.” One thing is clear: In Jesus’ presence, the heart’s true sentiments flower, the true attitudes come out. It’s a grace and so Augustine was afraid to let Him pass without being aware that He was passing.
It’s clear here: He passes, He heals a blind man and scandal is unleashed. And then the best and the worst of persons issues. The blind man, the wisdom of the blind man, the way he responds astonishes. He was used to moving about with his hands, he could sense danger, he could sense dangerous things that could make him slip. And he moves as a blind man, with clear, precise argumentation and then he even uses irony, he gives himself this luxury.
The Doctors of the Law knew all the laws — all, all, but they were fixed there. They didn’t understand when God passed. They were rigid, attached to their habits. Jesus Himself says it in the Gospel: attached to habits. And, if to keep these habits they had to do an injustice, it wasn’t a problem, because <their> habits said that that wasn’t justice. And that rigidity led them to commit injustices. The feeling of closure issued before Christ — only this. I counsel all of you today to take the Gospel — chapter 9 of John’s Gospel, and to read it at home, calmly. Once, twice to understand well what happens when Jesus passes: sentiments come out. To understand well what Augustine says to us: “I am afraid of the Lord when He passes, that I am not aware of it and don’t recognize Him, and I don’t convert.” Don’t forget: read today once, twice, three times take all the time you wish to read John’s chapter 9.
The Pope ended the celebration with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, inviting <the faithful> to make a Spiritual Communion.
Here is the prayer the Pope recited:
My Jesus, I believe you are really present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I desire You in my soul. As I cannot receive You now sacramentally, at least come spiritually into my heart. As You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You. Do not let me be ever separated from You.
Translation by Virginia M. Forrester
Read the source: https://zenit.org/articles/full-translation-of-popes-saturday-homily-at-santa-marta/