MASS IN THE PAULINE CHAPEL

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II

Monday, 1 April 1985

“I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice . . . and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations” (Is. 42, 6).

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have entered Holy Week, and our thoughts turn to our Lord Jesus Christ in the great victory of justice that is his during these holy days.

In his Passion, Death and Resurrection, Jesus accomplishes the mission to which his Father calls him. He conquers sin and restores humanity to the justice of God. Through the offering of himself in sacrifice, Jesus brings about a new covenant in his own blood, and he becomes for ever the light of the nations.

In commemorating the events of Holy Week, we do much more than just recall Christ’s suffering and glorification. We actually celebrate his life and share in his victory. The saving power of his Death and Resurrection enters our lives. And Jesus becomes for each of us, and for all of us, light and salvation.

If we accept him, then through his Paschal Mystery he will dispel all the darkness of our lives, and he will take away all fear from our hearts.

And today, in the words of the Psalmist, we proclaim the power of the Lord: “The Lord is my light and my salvation” (Ps. 27, 1). We proclaim Jesus Christ as the suffering Servant and the very Son of God. In his Passion, Death and Resurrection, we proclaim Jesus as the light of the nations and the Savior of the world!

© Copyright 1985 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana