Last public Mass of Pope Benedict XVI, who thanks "everyone" and calls for "a special remembrance in prayer." In his last public homily he evokes "sins against the unity of the Church" and "divisions in the body of the Christ."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "The true disciple does not serve himself or the" public ", but his Lord." The last public Mass of Pope Benedict XVI, who thanked "everyone" and called for "a special remembrance in prayer." This Ash Wednesday, "circumstances" suggested it take place in St. Peter's, instead of the traditional site of the basilica of Saint Sabina. The Pope explains why when he said: "There are many of us gathered around the tomb of the Apostle Peter to also ask him to pray for the path of the Church going forward at this particular moment in time, to renew our faith in the Supreme Pastor, Christ the Lord."

Benedict XVI speaks of "returning to the Lord" and "witness" and "a Lenten journey that passes through the Cross," but in his last public homily also evokes "sins against the unity of the Church" and "divisions in the body of Christ" that disfigure the face of the Church.

"Our witness - he adds - will always be more effective than the less we seek our own glory and the more we are aware that the reward of the righteous is God himself, to be united to Him, here, on our journey of faith, and at the end of life, in the peace and in light of coming face to face with Him forever".

Benedict XVI looks tired. He follows on the mobile podium, the procession from the atrium along the length of the nave of the basilica. But his voice is clear, as he receives ashes from Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of the basilica, imposes the ashes on other cardinals, some priests and faithful and distributes communion. The choir is the only sound to be heard. The rest is a profound silence to accompany the Pope.  Those present "feel" the poignancy of the moment. Only a long, unending applause at the end of the ceremony, and a deeply moved Pope, following Card. Bertone's address after the address thanking him "for giving us the shining example of a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord, a worker, however, who was always able to realize what is most important: bringing God to people and guiding people to God". But it is a moment. "Thank you - he says - but let us return to our prayer." The applause accompanies him until he has left the basilica.

The Pope's reflection at the beginning of this "new Lenten journey" focuses on a phrase that the prophet Joel spoke to the people of Israel, "Thus says the Lord: return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and mourning "(2.12). " Please note - he said -  the phrase "with all my heart," which means from the centre of our thoughts and feelings, from the roots of our decisions, choices and actions, with a gesture of total and radical freedom. But is this return to God possible? Yes, because there is a force that does not reside in our hearts, but that emanates from the heart of God and the power of his mercy"

The "return to the Lord," says Benedict XVI, is possible because "it is a 'grace', because it is the work of God and the fruit of faith that we entrust to His mercy. But this return to God becomes a reality in our lives only when the grace of God penetrates and moves our innermost core, gifting us the power that "rends the heart". Once again the prophet proclaims these words from God: "Rend your hearts and not your garments" (v. 13). Today, in fact, many are ready to "rend their garments" over scandals and injustices - which are of course caused by others - but few seem willing to act according to their own "heart",  their own conscience and their own intentions, by allowing the Lord transform, renew and convert them".

"That "return to me with all your heart", then, is a reminder that involves not only the individual, but the community," because "the community dimension is an essential element in faith and Christian life. Christ came" to gather into one the children of God who are scattered far afield".

"Living Lent in a more intense and evident ecclesial communion, overcoming individualism and rivalry is a valuable sign of humility to those who have distanced themselves from the faith or are indifferent to it."

And "the "return to God with all your heart" in our Lenten journey passes through the Cross, in following Christ on the road to Calvary, to the total gift of self. It is a journey on which each and every day we learn to leave behind our selfishness and being closed in on ourselves, to make room for God who opens and transforms our hearts. "

The Pope indicates the "Sermon on the Mount" in which " Jesus refers to three fundamental practices required by the Mosaic Law: almsgiving, prayer and fasting.  These are also traditional indications on the Lenten journey to respond to the invitation to «return to God with all your heart." But he points out that both the quality and the truth of our relationship with God is what qualifies the authenticity of every religious act. For this reason he denounces religious hypocrisy, a behaviour that seeks applause and approval. The true disciple does not serve himself or the "public", but his Lord, in simplicity and generosity: "And your Father who sees everything in secret will reward you" (Mt 6,4.6.18) ". (FP)

 

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