Bishop John Grotto Mass Homily
Monday 29th July 2024Our centenary diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes led by Bishop John has begun, with hundred of pilgrims from around our diocese joining to pray at the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, in France.
A greater purpose
In his homily during Mass at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bishop John emphasized the need to discover the greater purpose of the pilgrimage, urging pilgrims to embrace the opportunity the pilgrimage offers them, to grow in their faith and put that faith into action.
The theme of this year’s pilgrimage was inspired by the words of Our Lady to St Bernadette, “Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here and to come here in procession.” Reflecting on these words, Bishop John highlighted the unimaginable impact that the priests’ obedience has had, with millions of pilgrims visiting Lourdes every year.
However, he reminded everyone that the pilgrimage should not be an end in itself and stressed the importance of channeling the experience into efforts to deepen one’s faith and demonstrate it through action.
Discerning the best way
Quoting Jesus’ response to the question of the most important commandment, Bishop John emphasized the significance of loving God with all one’s heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
He drew inspiration from the Mass readings, highlighting the story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus and the importance of discerning the best way to express love in different circumstances.
“That gives us a real focus about our Faith. We show our love for God through our acts of loving our neighbour. The first reading at our Mass today, from the First Letter of St John, is insistent about the need to love, since Love comes from God, because God is love. And today’s Gospel, on this Feast of Sts Martha, Mary and Lazarus gives us important teaching about how we are to love”.
“We rightly honour Martha, Mary and Lazarus on their Feast day because of their honest efforts to show love for Jesus but we can learn from them that there are different ways of showing love and we are challenged, like Martha and Mary to learn to choose “the better part”.
Call to prayer
He invited the pilgrims to “give time to prayer, asking for the wisdom to love in the right way”.
“Let us not be afraid to ask Our Lady to teach us how to love well, just as she showed constant love for her Son, through all the different stages of his life and ministry. How difficult and complicated it must have been at times for her to want to protect her son and keep him safe but knowing that, in love, she must leave him free for his unique mission and proclamation of the Gospel.
Bishop John concluded his homily by asking for the intercession of Our Lady, Untyer of Knots for all present and for our diocesan family.
Tagged | Bishop John | Lourdes | Pilgrimage
