The Vatican Mass today:
60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
HOLY MASS
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter’s Basilica
Tuesday, 11 October 2022
Memorial of Saint John XXIII, Pope
“Do you love me?” These are the first words that Jesus speaks to Peter in the Gospel that we have just heard (Jn 21:15). His final words are: “Feed my sheep” (v. 17). On the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, we can sense that those same words of the Lord are also addressed to us, to us as Church: Do you love me? Feed my sheep.
First: Do you love me? It is a question, for Jesus’ style is not so much to offer answers as to ask questions, questions that challenge our lives. The Lord, who “from the fullness of his love, addresses men and women as his friends and lives among them” (Dei Verbum, 2), continues to ask the Church, his Bride: “Do you love me?” The Second Vatican Council was one great response to this question. To rekindle her love for the Lord, the Church, for the first time in her history, devoted a Council to examining herself and reflecting on her nature and mission. She saw herself once more as a mystery of grace generated by love; she saw herself anew as the People of God, the Body of Christ, the living temple of the Holy Spirit!
This is the first way to look at the Church: from above. Indeed, the Church needs first to be viewed from on high, with God’s eyes, eyes full of love. Let us ask ourselves if we, in the Church, start with God and his loving gaze upon us. We are always tempted to start from ourselves rather than from God, to put our own agendas before the Gospel, to let ourselves be caught up in the winds of worldliness in order to chase after the fashions of the moment or to turn our back on the time that Providence has granted us, in order to retrace our steps. Yet let us be careful: both the “progressivism” that lines up behind the world and the “traditionalism” – or “looking backwards” – that longs for a bygone world are not evidence of love, but of infidelity. They are forms of a Pelagian selfishness that puts our own tastes and plans above the love that pleases God, the simple, humble and faithful love that Jesus asked of Peter.
Do you love me? Let us rediscover the Council in order to restore primacy to God, to what is essential: to a Church madly in love with its Lord and with all the men and women whom he loves; to a Church that is rich in Jesus and poor in assets; to a Church that is free and freeing. This was the path that the Council pointed out to the Church. It led her to return, like Peter in the Gospel, to Galilee, to the sources of her first love; to rediscover God’s holiness in her own poverty (cf. Lumen Gentium, 8c; chapter 5. Each one of us also has his or her own Galilee, the Galilee of our first love, and certainly today we are all called to return to our own Galilee in order to hear the voice of the Lord: “Follow me”. And there, to find once more in the gaze of the crucified and risen Lord a joy that had faded; to focus upon Jesus. To rediscover our joy, for a Church that has lost its joy has lost its love. Towards the end of his life, Pope John wrote: “This life of mine, now nearing its sunset, could find no better end than in the concentration of all my thoughts in Jesus, the Son of Mary… a great and constant friendship with Jesus, contemplated as a Child and upon the Cross, and adored in the Blessed Sacrament” (Journal of a Soul). This is our view from on high; this is our ever-living source: Jesus, the Galilee of love, Jesus who calls us, Jesus who asks us: “Do you love me?”.
Brothers and sisters, let us return to the Council’s pure sources of love. Let us rediscover the Council’s passion and renew our own passion for the Council! Immersed in the mystery of the Church, Mother and Bride, let us also say, with Saint John XXIII: Gaudet Mater Ecclesia! (Address at the Opening of the Council, 11 October 1962). May the Church be overcome with joy. If she should fail to rejoice, she would deny her very self, for she would forget the love that begot her. Yet how many of us are unable to live the faith with joy, without grumbling and criticizing? A Church in love with Jesus has no time for quarrels, gossip and disputes. May God free us from being critical and intolerant, harsh and angry! This is not a matter of style but of love. For those who love, as the Apostle Paul teaches, do everything without murmuring (cf. Phil 2:14). Lord, teach us your own lofty gaze; teach us to look at the Church as you see her. And when we are critical and disgruntled, let us remember that to be Church means to bear witness to the beauty of your love, to live our lives as a response to your question: Do you love me? And not to act as if we were at a funeral wake.
Do you love me? Feed my sheep. With that second verb, feed, Jesus expresses the kind of love that he desires from Peter. So let us now reflect on Peter. He was a fisherman whom Jesus made a fisher of men (cf. Lk 5:10). Jesus assigns him a new role, that of a shepherd, something entirely new to him. This was in fact a turning point in Peter’s life, for while fishermen are concerned with hauling a catch to themselves, shepherds are concerned with others, with feeding others. Shepherds live with their flocks; they feed the sheep and come to love them. A shepherd is not “above” the nets – like a fisherman – but “in the midst of” his sheep. A shepherd stands in front of the people to mark the way, in the midst of the people as one of them, and behind the people in order to be close to the stragglers. A shepherd is not above, like a fisherman, but in the midst.
This is the second way of looking at the Church that we learn from the Council: looking around. In other words, being in the world with others without ever feeling superior to others, being servants of that higher realm which is the Kingdom of God (cf. Lumen Gentium, 5); bringing the good news of the Gospel into people’s lives and languages (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, 36), sharing their joys and hopes (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 1). Being in the midst of the people, not above the people, which is the bad sin of clericalism that kills the sheep rather than guiding them or helping them grow. How timely the Council remains! It helps us reject the temptation to enclose ourselves within the confines of our own comforts and convictions. The Council helps us imitate God’s approach, which the prophet Ezekiel has described to us today: “Seek the lost sheep and lead back to the fold the stray, bind up the injured and strengthen the weak” (cf. Ezek 34:16).
Feed: the Church did not hold the Council in order to admire herself, but to give herself to others. Indeed, our holy and hierarchical Mother, springing from the heart of the Trinity, exists for the sake of love. She is a priestly people (cf. Lumen Gentium, 10ff.), meant not to stand out in the eyes of the world, but to serve the world. Let us not forget that the People of God is born “extrovert” and renews its youth by self-giving, for it is a sacrament of love, “a sign and instrument of communion with God and of the unity of the entire human race” (Lumen Gentium, 1). Brothers and sisters, let us return to the Council, which rediscovered the living river of Tradition without remaining mired in traditions. The Council rediscovered the source of love, not to remain on mountain heights, but to cascade downwards as a channel of mercy for all. Let us return to the Council and move beyond ourselves, resisting the temptation to self-absorption, which is a way of being worldly. Once more, the Lord tells his Church: feed! And as she feeds, she leaves behind nostalgia for the past, regret at the passing of former influence, and attachment to power. For you, the holy People of God, are a pastoral people. You are not here to shepherd yourselves, or to be on the climb, but to shepherd others – all others – with love. And if it is fitting to show a particular concern, it should be for those whom God loves most: the poor and the outcast (cf. Lumen Gentium, 8; Gaudium et Spes, 1). The Church is meant to be, as Pope John put it, “the Church of all, and particularly the Church of the poor” (Radio Message to the faithful worldwide a month prior to the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, 11 September 1962).
Do you love me? The Lord then says: “Feed my sheep”. He does not mean just some of the sheep, but all of them, for he loves them all, affectionately referring to them as “mine”. The Good Shepherd looks out and wants his flock to be united, under the guidance of the Pastors he has given them. He wants us – and this is the third way of looking at the Church – to see the whole, all of us together. The Council reminds us that the Church is a communion in the image of the Trinity (cf. Lumen Gentium, 4.13). The devil, on the other hand, wants to sow the darnel of division. Let us not give in to his enticements or to the temptation of polarization. How often, in the wake of the Council, did Christians prefer to choose sides in the Church, not realizing that they were breaking their Mother’s heart! How many times did they prefer to cheer on their own party rather than being servants of all? To be progressive or conservative rather than being brothers and sisters? To be on the “right” or “left”, rather than with Jesus? To present themselves as “guardians of the truth” or “pioneers of innovation” rather than seeing themselves as humble and grateful children of Holy Mother Church. All of us are children of God, all brothers and sisters in the Church, all of us making up the Church, all of us. That is how the Lord wants us to be. We are his sheep, his flock, and we can only be so together and as one. Let us overcome all polarization and preserve our communion. May all of us increasingly “be one”, as Jesus prayed before sacrificing his life for us (cf. Jn17:21). And may Mary, Mother of the Church, help us in this. May the yearning for unity grow within us, the desire to commit ourselves to full communion among all those who believe in Christ. Let us leave aside the “isms”, for God’s people do not like polarization. The people of God is the holy faithful people of God: this is the Church. It is good that today, as during the Council, representatives of other Christian communities are present with us. Thank you! Thank you for being here, thank you for your presence!
We thank you, Lord, for the gift of the Council. You who love us, free us from the presumption of self-sufficiency and from the spirit of worldly criticism. Prevent us from excluding ourselves from unity. You who lovingly feed us, lead us forth from the shadows of self-absorption. You who desire that we be a united flock, save us from the forms of polarization and the “isms” that are the devil’s handiwork. And we, your Church, with Peter and like Peter, now say to you: “Lord, you know everything; you know that we love you” (cf. Jn 21:17).
9 comments:
In October 2012, Pope Benedict XVI offered the as he, and the Church, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Vatican II.
Pope Benedict praised the Council.
https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20121010.html
Excerpts:
-- Pope Benedict XVI insisted that Vatican II was conducted under the "guidance of the Holy Spirit."
-- Pope Benedict XVI repeated the following from Pope Saint John Paul II:
"I feel more than ever in duty bound to point to the Council as the great grace bestowed on the Church in the 20th century: there we find a sure compass by which to take our bearings in the century now beginning."
-- Pope Benedict XVI declared: "The Second Vatican Council Documents, to which we must return, freeing them from a mass of publications which instead of making them known have often concealed them, are a compass in our time too that permits the Barque of the Church to put out into the deep in the midst of storms or on calm and peaceful waves, to sail safely and to reach her destination."
-- He insisted that the Holy Spirit was/is the "the true driving force of the Council."
-- Pope Benedict XVI stated that Vatican II's documents are filled with "riches."
-- Pope Benedict XVI: "The Second Vatican Council is a strong appeal to us to rediscover every day the beauty of our faith, to know it deeply for a more intense relationship with the Lord, in order to live our Christian vocation to the full."
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Mark, Pope Benedict said all of this because it is true. But, Pope Benedict insisted that the Documents of Vatican II be interpreted thought the lens of continuity with what had preceded Vatican II because the Holy Spirit was not absent from guiding the Church prior to Vatican II.
Pope Francis disagrees with Pope Benedict’s lens for interpreting the Council. Pope Francis prefers rather the hermeneutics of rupture. For Benedict the older form of the Mass and the modern form could and can co-exists and exert influence on each other. Not so for Pope Francis, a break from the Mass is necessary.
I prefer Pope Benedict’s interpretation of Vatican II and I hope the next pope will disavow Pope Francis rupture theology and rehabilitation Benedict’s. Pope Francis has set the precedence in contradicting the previous papal magisterium. It can happen to him too, give his example.
Pope Francis, from 2013 A.D. to 2021 A.D., despite horrific problems within the Traditional Catholic Movement, maintained Summorum Pontificum...the failed (not Pope Benedict XVI's fault) liturgical peace plan.
Pope Francis noted said movement's attacks against Vatican II, as well as the Holy Mass of Pope Saint Paul VI.
Speaking generally, "traditionalists" responded..."How dare Bergoglio/Team Bergoglio 'claim that 'traditionalists' have opposed Vatican II/Novus Ordo..."
Today, via his blog/twitter (Rorate Caeli), New Catholic attacked, as he has done countless times, Vatican II. New Catholic wishes us to believe that Vatican II is garbage that the Church will discard.
Also, today, via his blog (Rorate Caeli), New Catholic promoted an attack, authored by Peter Kwasniewski, against the Holy Mass of Pope Saint Paul VI.
New Catholic (Rorate Caeli), as well as Peter Kwasniewski, do not speak for each "traditional" Catholic on earth. But New Catholic (Rorate Caeli), as well as Peter Kwasniewski, enjoy a solid following among "traditional" Catholics.
New Catholic (Rorate Caeli), as well as Peter Kwasniewski, reflect the serious problems that plague "traditional" Catholicism.
If anything, New Catholic (Rorate Caeli), as well as Peter Kwasniewski, have contribute in major fashion to the around-the-clock attacks against Vatican II, as well as Holy Mass of Pope Saint Paul VI, that have filled "traditional" Catholic blogs/twitter accounts.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Horrific?????? Really?????his Cardinal in charge of the synod on synods stated that sociology and the world’s changed attitudes about sex and sexuality are on par with Scripture and Tradition.
Both John-Paul and Benedict we're very much a part of Vatican II proceedings. As popes, they worked mightily to salvage the failure that it soon became. Alas, it seems to no avail as it is still a failure these 60 years later.
St. Athanasius wrote:
"For they hold the places, but you the Apostolic Faith. They are, it is true, in the places, but outside of the true Faith; while you are outside the places indeed, but the Faith, within you. Let us consider whether is the greater, the place or the Faith. Clearly the true Faith. Who then has lost more, or who possesses more? He who holds the place, or he who holds the Faith? Good indeed is the place, when the Apostolic Faith is preached there, holy is it if the Holy One dwell there. (After a little:) But ye are blessed, who by faith are in the Church, dwell upon the foundations of the faith, and have full satisfaction, even the highest degree of faith which remains among you unshaken."
The person who yesterday chided those he disagrees with for making caricatures of their political opponents cannot seem to help himself.
"Failed liturgical peace plan"? I almost snorted my coffee out of my nose laughing when I read that! Go into just about any TLM or SSPX Church and you will indeed witness something profound, but it isn't failure. It's the future--the only one that is sustainable.
I don't know which Traditionalist hurt this poor fellows itty bitty feewings, but these lame attempts to put the Traditionalists in a box are as transparent as they are silly.
Of course--to repeat the PC invocation--"it's only anecdotal" but the overwhelming number of Traditionalists I know are tolerant people who hold no ill will to the Novus Ordo or the crowd that attends it. I'm probably far more intolerant than the average Traditionalist, and I NEVER speak out against the Novus Ordo Masses that I grind my teeth through week after week. I shut up and take it. If you want to see intolerance, I advise you to visit some of the parishes that added a TLM into the weekly or monthly Mass schedule and notice how accepting and open and loving the Novus Ordo geezers react. That's a REAL lesson in "tolerance".
Mark Thomas,
You can continue to beat your tom-tom for the flop that is Vatican II and the Novus Ordo but it does not change reality. I was born and trained before the Council when we had a great universal Church instead of the dumpster fire we have now which is accelerating under Pope Ming the “Merciful.” I wish I could live in your fantasyland instead of the real world. Seek help.
The more I think about this, the more it illustrates to me the "superforce" (as Malachi Martin called it) and its dominance in holding sway on the direction of our poor Church. "Celebrating" an anniversary of Vatican II makes about as much sense as a Confederate officer "celebrating" the anniversary of Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
Reading the de rigueur praising remarks made by various popes proves nothing except that they were paying the lip service they were obliged to pay under the strictures placed upon them by a heterodox and hostile curia, serving the interests of corrupt bishops.
But I CAN list the "successes" of Vatican II:
Did I leave something out?
The geriatric/modernist mafia so devoted to roadblocking the Traditional Mass are never going to let go of their Vatican II fantasy. THEY WILL NEVER ADMIT IT. THEY WILL NEVER LET GO OF IT.
Why? They honestly believe that the Church which existed before Vatican II and Bugnini's New Mass was too "strict" or "rigid" or "oppressive" or whatever crybaby adjective you wish to insert. A closer look at what they think was "too difficult" or "too demanding" usually points to their insistence that the sins committed below the waist are not sins and should be tolerated or even blessed. And thanks to the "Vatican III" Synod in which our "leadership" gives its heartfelt attention to the complaints (I mean "dialoguing") of disgruntled Catholics who resent the Catechism and calling this process "listening to the Spirit".
Vatican II was the surveying, marking and digging process and what followed has laid the foundation for the Ape of the Church. Soon, when we have Pachamana Idols and smudging ceremonies in every diocese, when parish priests will be women, when homosexual unions will "celebrate" their own "liturgy", those who resist will be excommunicated.
So excommunicate me. I have no problem being excommunicated from Pachamama, fake priestesses, pagan rituals, sexual license and an unrepentant homosexualized clergy. When the Church embraces the secular, PLEASE EXCOMMUNICATE ME. Because what I will be excommunicated from will not be the Catholic Church and I won't want any part of it. At all.
Jerome Merwick,
Fabulous statement! My pastor is 32 and says the Mass in Latin once a week and has greatly re-enchanted the Novus Ordo (only uses the Roman Canon on Sundays and says it in Latin frequently). He will be around for the restoration of authentic Catholicism long after these morally and spiritually bankrupt parasites are gone.
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