Vatican City, 2 November 2015 (VIS) -
This morning in St. Peter's Basilica the Holy Father presided at Mass
for the souls of cardinals and bishops who died during this last
year. “In this earth they loved their bride the Church, and we pray
that in God they may enjoy full joy in the communion of saints”, he
said. “As we ask for that they be rewarded as 'good and faithful
servants', we are called up to renew our decision to serve the
Church. … Those who serve and give may be seen to 'lose' in the
eyes of the world, but in reality, losing life, they rediscover it. A
life given away in love, imitates Christ: it defeats death and gives
life to the world. He who serves, saves. On the contrary, he who does
not live to serve, does not serve to live”.
“This is how the Son of God lowered
Himself to us, stooping like a servant to us to take on all that is
ours, to the point of throwing open the doors to life. … This style
of God, Who saves us by serving us and annihilating Himself, has much
to teach us. We imagine a triumphal divine victory; instead Jesus
shows us a very humble victory. Raised on the cross, He lets evil and
death beset him, while He continues to love. For us it is difficult
to accept this. It is a mystery, but the secret of this mystery, of
this extraordinary humility, consists entirely in the strength of
love. … In this way Jesus not only takes away evil, but also
transforms it into good. He does not change things with words, but
with actions; not in appearance, but in substance; not on the
surface, but at the root. He transforms the cross into a bridge to
life. We too can be victorious with Him, it we choose dutiful and
humble love, that remains victorious for eternity. It is a love that
does not shout and does not impose itself, but rather knows how to
wait with trust and patience since, as the Book of Lamentations
reminds us, “it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the
Lord”.
“As we offer this Mass for the our
dear brother cardinals and bishops, let us ask for ourselves what the
apostle Paul exhorts us to do: 'Set your minds on things above, not
on earthly things'. May the resurrection of the Lord be enough to let
us be free of the worries of ephemeral things, that pass and vanish
into nothing. May He be enough for us, He in whom there is life,
salvation, resurrection and joy. Then we will be servants according
to His heart, not functionaries who offer their services, but rather
beloved children who give their life for the world”.
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