5 luglio 2009
Homily by Cardinal GIOVANNI LAJOLO
President of the Governatorato of Vatican City State
for the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums
for the Mass in commemoration of the newly restored Cappella Paolina
5 July 2009
There are three thoughts found in today’s Liturgy of the Word which I think very clearly respond to our experience of faith.
1. The first comes from the Prophet Ezekiel.
The Prophet must announce the Word of God. The Word of God completely stands in favour of man and for his salvation; however, it is rejected. But, even so, the prophet must speak, whether the people to whom he is sent listen or not.
Even Paul wrote to his disciple Timothy saying: “Proclaim the Word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient: convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” ( 2 Tim 4,2) We need courage for this. But God – says Paul in the same letter: “did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power, and love, and self-control.” (2 Tim 1,7)
This has been the experience of the Church throughout time – and we ourselves witness this in our own time. The Word of God which the Church proclaims is contradicted, mocked and battled, especially in those areas that relate most closely to the fundamental aspects of the life of man, his salvation present and future.
But the Church must give testimony – as did Jeremiah – to be “ a prophet in the midst of the world.” For its light and its strength are not her own, but of Christ. And because of this, the Church does not fear human adversity. As Paul himself wrote in his Second Letter to the Corinthians, so the Church of today must also proclaim: “We are treated as deceivers, and yet are truthful; as unrecognized, and yet acknowledged; as dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and yet not put to death; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (II Cor 6,8-10).
Even we - each one of us - not only the priests but also the laity, must know that we are part of the same prophetic mission of the Church.
2. The Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, which is our second reading today, is the one out of many of his letters that most closely manifests his personality. That great man, humanly speaking, was one of the greatest geniuses in history, so much so that a few have mistakenly attributed to him the foundation of Christianity. Yet Paul felt all the weakness of his body as, “a thorn in the flesh,” and three times he prayed to the Lord to leave him. Paul did not feel worthy of the task. Similar words had been said to the Lord by Simon Peter, when he was shocked by the miraculous power of Jesus: “Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.” (Lc 5, 8-10). But Jesus instead made him the “fisher of men.” Now the Lord says to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12,9).
This is also the experience of the Church and - I believe - of each one of us. We often feel not worthy of the tasks entrusted to us, or of the expectations placed upon us by men and, above all, by God. But the Lord does not leave us. If we present ourselves to him in the very truth of our being, in the humble and noble acceptance of our limitations, he does not abandon us. He replaces our limits with his wisdom and his strength, so that we too can say that in our weakness is manifested God’s power. Could we really testify to not receiving God’s help during difficult moments of our lives? No one can say that having entrusted themselves to the Lord, he has left them to fall.
3. The Gospel, heard today, shows Jesus as mystery, so admired as so misunderstood. Admired for his Word so mighty, wise and sure; misunderstood for his human origins so humble, of the people.
This experience too continues in the Church, in the mystic the Body of Christ. There exists an admiration on the part of many, open or covert, regarding many aspects of the Church’s activities, that show a different wisdom: a doctrine open to every culture, universal charity, which reaches every border of human misery, but also rises to the splendour of art, of which we are today active witnesses. But in unison, often and in many, even among persons of intellect - not to mention in the mass media - they do not comprehend the true significance of the Church. Everything in the Church is regarded as human, too “human,” and therefore, to be “despised.” (Regarding this judgment it should also be noted that while nobody can accuse Jesus of sin (cf Gv 8,46), within the Church, unfortunately, there has been no shortage of scandals. Jesus predicted this (cf Mt 18,7). And the Church deplores this shameful breach of testimony on the part of its members.) Jesus, because of the lack of faith of the people of Nazareth - as we have heard in today’s Gospel – could not work any great deed, but he did not become discouraged. He continued to do all the good he was able to; he continued to teach and to heal. No different does the Church.
But, the very point of the today’s Gospel is found in the phrase of the Evangelist Mark: “Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there.” Namely to say: faith is the correct and dutiful response before the person, the acts and the teaching of Jesus. Only faith can comprehend the profound reality of God. In the presence of faith the Lord can work - with man and for man – any wonder. “Nothing is impossible for God,” said the Archangel Gabriel to Mary (Lc 1,37;cfr Gen 18,14: cfr Ger 32 ,37). But God enters into our life only if we make room for him with our faith.
Today we may consider ourselves in some way as witnesses to this truth. This wonderful work that is before our eyes was carried out by our restorers and was funded by your generous monetary contribution. But it would not have taken shape in 1500 had faith not inspired the artists; it could not have been restored in our time had faith and devotion to the Vicar of Christ and the love of art, not animated you, the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, to accomplish this deed.
And for this, to end of these words of mine, I would like to express to you as President of the Governorship of the Vatican City State, and personally as your brother in the faith, all my gratitude and my admiration.
The Lord, who can never be superseded in generosity, with his presence will recompense you in your lives.