Regina Coeli: On Following the Good Shepard
"It is not enough to contemplate and give
thanks. One should also follow the Good Shepherd."
Vatican
City, April 26, 2015 (Zenit.org)
Below
is a translation of Pope Francis' address today before and after the recitation
of theRegina Coeli to the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square:
****
Before the Regina Coeli:
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
This Fourth Sunday of Easter, called "Good Shepherd
Sunday," each year invites us to rediscover even more new wonder, this
definition which Jesus gave of Himself, reading into it in light of His
Passion, Death and Resurrection. "The Good Shepherd lays down his life for
the sheep" (Jn 10:11): These words came true when Christ fully, freely
obeying the will of the Father, sacrificed himself on the Cross. Then it
becomes quite clear what it means that He is "the Good Shepherd:" He gives
life, He offered His life as a sacrifice for all of us: for you, for you, for
you, for me, for everyone! And this is the good shepherd!
Christ is the true shepherd, which realizes the highest model of
love for the flock: He has laid down His life freely, no one takes it from him
(cf. v. 18), but gives it in favor of the sheep (v. 17). In open opposition to
false shepherds, Jesus presents himself as the only true shepherd of the
people, the bad shepherd thinks of himself and uses his sheep; the good
shepherd thinks of his sheep and gives himself. Unlike the mercenary, Christ is
a caring, guiding shepherd who participates in the life of His flock, not for
other interests, for He has no other ambition than to guide, nurture and
protect his sheep. And all this at the highest price, that of the sacrifice of
His own life.
In the figure of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we contemplate God's
providence, His paternal concern for each of us. He does not leave us alone!
The consequence of this contemplation of Jesus, the true and good Shepherd, is
the exclamation of profound wonder that we find in the Second Reading of
today's Liturgy: "See what love the Father has given us ..."
It's really a surprising and mysterious love, because in giving us Jesus
as the Shepherd who gives His life for us, the Father has given us everything
as big and as valuable as He possibly could give us! It is the highest and
purest love because it is not motivated by any necessity, is not conditioned by
any calculation, and is not attracted to any interested desire to exchange.
Faced with this love of God, we experience great joy and we are open to
gratitude for what we have received for free.
But it is not enough to contemplate and give thanks. One should
also follow the Good Shepherd. In particular, those who have the mission as
leaders in the Church - priests, bishops, popes - are called not to take on the
mentality of 'manager,' but that of the servant, in imitation of Jesus who,
stripping himself, has saved us with His mercy. Also called to this style of
pastoral life of the Good Shepherd are the new priests of the Diocese of Rome,
whom I have had the joy of ordaining this morning in St. Peter's
Basilica. And two of them will overlook to thank you for your prayers and
to greet you ... [two priests near the Holy Father were overlooking those
gathered]
Mary obtain for me, for the bishops and priests of the whole
world the grace to serve the holy people of God through joyful proclamation of
the Gospel, heartfelt celebration of the sacraments and patient and mild
pastoral leadership.
[Original text: Italian]
After the Regina Coeli:
Dear brothers and sisters,
I want to assure my closeness to people affected by a strong
earthquake in Nepal and neighboring countries. I pray for the victims, for the
wounded and for all who suffer because of this disaster. You have the support
of fraternal solidarity. Let's pray to Our Lady who is close to them.
"Hail Mary ..."
Today, in Canada, Blessed Maria Elisa Turgeon, founder of the
Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of San Germano, is proclaimed: an
exemplary religious, devoted to prayer, teaching in small towns of her diocese,
and to works of charity. We thank the Lord for this woman, model of life
consecrated to God and generous commitment to the service of others.
I greet with affection all the pilgrims from Rome, Italy and
from various countries, especially those coming in large numbers from Poland to
mark the first anniversary of the canonization of John Paul II. Beloved, always
resound in your hearts his call: "Open the doors to Christ!" that he
said in the strong and holy voice he had. May the Lord bless you and your
families and Madonna protect you.
I greet the faithful of Budapest, Madrid, Burgos, Bratislava and
Cairo; as well as those of Trieste, Giovinazzo, Gorga, Gorlago, Pesaro, Lamezia
Terme. I greet the young people of Niscemi and Trezzano Rosa, and the boys of
the vicariates of Casalpusterlengo and Codogno, who are going to renew the
profession of faith.
I wish you all a good Sunday. Please do not forget to pray for
me. Good lunch and goodbye!
[Original text: Italian]
[Translation by Deborah Castellano Lubov]
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