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HOMILY OF PAUL VI
Bombay - Friday, 4 December 1964
Venerable Brothers, dear Sons and Daughters in Christ,
As we look out upon the vast multitude gathered here in worship A and
as the prayers and hymns of the Divine Liturgy which has been
celebrated still sound in Our ears, the words of Our Lord come
easily to Our mind: «I tell you that many will come from the east
and from the west, and will feast with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob
in the kingdom of heaven» (Matth. 8, 11).
Though we have not yet arrived at that happy cosummation when the
Lord’s words will be completely fulfilled, we rejoice in the fact
that their promise is visibly manifested in this gathering today. Many
have come from the east and from the west and are gathered around the
table of the Lord. Many traditions and cultures are represented
here, but the Eucharist which has been celebrated is one, and the
unity which it signifies and builds up is the unity of all mankind with
God in Jesus Christ.
The Liturgy which We have celebrated today comes from an ancient
tradition in the Church. First of all, it reminds Us forcibly of
the fact that Christianity has been present in this great land from
apostolic times through the venerable traditions brought from
Palestine, the homeland of the Lord.
If the name Syrian denotes their origins, the ceremonies and the
language indicate clearly that they have become deeply rooted in the
soil of India. Through centuries which were often difficult they have
maintained their vitality and strength, so that today they are a living
witness to the ever youthful vigour of the Gospel of Christ.
Succeding centuries brought new contributions to the Christian life of
this country. The great saint Francis Xavier was followed by many
other fervent apostles from various cultures who brought the message of
Christ’s peace and our reconciliation with God. If these newer
traditions have preserved many distinguishing characteristics of their
own, they are also striving to draw deeply from the culture and life of
this country.
The plurality of these traditions is a living witness to the
Catholicity of the Church of Christ, which is at the same time for
all men, embracing all cultures, and also can express in a particular
way the truth and beauty which exist in each culture. In a special
manner this Eucharistic Congress manifests this fact and testifies to
the truth of what We so recently proclaimed, together with the
Fathers congregated in the Second Vatican Council: «The Church
fosters and takes to itself, in so far as they are good, the ability,
riches and customs in which the genius of each people expresses itself.
Taking them to itself, it purifies, strengthens, elevates and
consecrates them».
In recognizing this truth, we acknowledge the obligations it places
upon us. The first of these is the necessity for a deep, fraternal
cooperation among those who share differing liturgical traditions.
You are all one in steadfastly holding to the teaching of the Apostles
and the Fathers and in the breaking of the Bread. You are one in
your communion with each other and with the Successor of Peter, whom
the Lord has established as the Chief Pastor of His Church.
Perhaps in the past, the idea of legitimate plurality joined with
mutual cooperation may have been obscured at times. But today there
must be a new dedication to this idea. The Constitution on the
Church clearly states: «In virtue of this catholicity, each
individual part contributes through its special gifts to the good of the
other parts and of the whole Church. Through the common sharing of
gifts and through the common effort to attain fulness in unity, the
whole and each of the parts receive increase». Oh, that these words
may be engraved on your hearts and be realized in your individual and
corporate life!
What treasures of grace will be brought to yourselves, your country
and the whole world, if these words become the animating force behind
the witness you give to the mission with which Christ has charged you!
There is another obligation which stems from this realization of the
catholicity of the Church. That is the obligation to remain faithful
to your traditions, at the same time as you strive to adapt yourself to
the needs of the present age, and to become more fully a part of the
life and culture of your native land. Fidelity to your traditions will
help maintain so many ties with what is good and genuine in the past,
and also preserve or reestablish bonds with those who share these
traditions, but who are not in full communion with the Catholic
Church. In a spirit of fidelity and charity, through mutual
cooperation devoid of any spirit of contention, you can contribute
greatly to the building up of Unity among Christians who live and work
together, side by side.
But this fidelity is not to be a dead veneration of the past. It must
be joined to a living adaptation to the needs of your people, as they
continue to make a positive contribution to the spiritual and cultural
life of their country. In this happy union of fidelity and
adaptation, entered into by all the different hierarchies and their
faithful together in a spirit of fraternal cooperation, lies the
promise of a genuine witness to Christ and to His Gospel in this
beloved land of India, so rich in religious life and spiritual
striving.
It is in this spirit, that with joyful heart We invoke upon the
celebrants of this Holy Liturgy, their clergy and faithful, and upon
all the bishops, priests and people of every rite and tradition
gathered here, the Apostolic Blessing.
Priest: Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace and salutary
hope to men, always and for ever. Amen.
People: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom
come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day
the bread we need and forgive us our offences and sins as we also have
forgiven those who offended us; and lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, power and
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Deacon: Bless, O Lord.
Priest: O Christ our God and our Saviour, hope of the sick and
the afflicted, through the prayers of your Mother Mary ever virgin,
of St. John the Baptist, of the Apostles and of our Father St.
Thomas, of the Prophets, Martyrs and of all the Saints, have
mercy on the sick and the afflicted, bless them and give them your
grace that they may with patience and holy resignation bear all their
pains and sorrows for the benefit of their body and soul. You, the
resuscitator of our body and the benevolent Saviour of our soul, Lord
of all for ever.
People: Amen.
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