Homily of Archbishop Giovanni Battista Pichierri at Mass – broadcast on Radio Maria January 23, 2017
The “Letter to the Hebrews” speaks to us of Jesus Christ, the only mediator of the new covenant ” For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15).
Only Jesus Christ conquered death and gave us His divine life which is eternal.
He, as God, became like us “to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26). “ So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28).
Unlike the priests of the Old Covenant, Jesus is both Priest and Victim. In His Passion He – as pure from every stain of sin – gave himself to the Father for sinners. By means of His death and resurrection He accomplishes his priestly function; At the Ascension He didn’t enter into a temple built by human hands, but He entered into heaven, where He remains a Lamb standing before the Father to make intercession for us (Rev 5:6). Sin is now deprived of its strength and a “new way” to return to the Father is open to everyone.
The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as the One before whom we must take a stand: either we join ourselves to Him, our only Savior or we compare ourselves to Him in the exercise of our freedom that rejects Him.
Salvation is a gift, but it can be given only to those who have the desire to be saved.
The servant of God “Luisa Piccarreta” had the desire to be saved. For this she fully adhered to the will of Jesus, obedient servant to the Father even unto death, even the death of the cross. In the Hours of the Passion Luisa comments on the agony of Gethsemane in the following way: “O Jesus, all the rebellions of creatures advance toward You; You see that “Fiat Voluntas Tua”, that “Your Will be done”, which was to be the life of each creature, being rejected by almost all of them, and instead of finding life, they find death. And wanting to give life to all, and make a solemn reparation to the Father for the rebellions of creatures, as many as three times, You repeat: “Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from Me: that souls, withdrawing from Our Will, become lost. This chalice is very bitter for Me; however, not my will, but Yours be done”.
Jesus bound the human will with the divine will making His own person a bridge, a bond of harmony. And this is precisely the starting point of our new life, to be in Christ, with Christ, through Christ.
In another excerpt from the Hours of the Passion Jesus tells Luisa: My daughter, do you want to know what it is that torments Me more than the very executioners? Rather, those are nothing compared to this! It is the Eternal Love, which, wanting primacy in everything, is making Me suffer, all at once and in the most intimate parts, what the executioners will make Me suffer little by little. Ah, daughter, it is Love which prevails in everything, over Me and within Me. Love is nail for Me, Love is scourge, Love is crown of thorns – Love is everything for Me. Love is my perennial passion, while that of men is in time. Ah, my daughter enter into my Heart, come to be dissolved in my love, and only in my love will you comprehend how much I suffered and how much I loved you, and you will learn to love Me and to suffer only out of love.”
Luisa lived immersed in the love of Jesus Christ and learned to love God and her neighbor, declaring herself the ‘little daughter of the Divine Will “.
Dearly beloved, it’s really a gift to know and love Jesus as the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta did. Let us imitate her harmonizing our day in this way: “Today, in your Divine Will, come Jesus to love in me the people I meet, to walk in my steps, to look with my eyes, to work in my hands, to talk in my words , etc “.
Jesus made this possible by giving us His Divine Life.
Amen
Archbishop Pichierri entered into Eternity July 26, 2017
Prayer for Archbishop Giovan Battista Pichierri in his passing from this world,
and for the new Archbishop Leonardo D’ Ascenzo:
Abba Father, In the Name of Jesus, in the Unity and Power of the Holy Spirit,
Under the Mantle of Mary, With All the Angels and Saints,
through the Intercession of The Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, we pray,
“Oh! Lord, Reward Archbishop Pichierri – You Yourself.” (V1)
“Remember how many sacrifices he made, how much zeal he had for Your Honor and Glory
and then, how much he did for Luisa and the little family of the Divine Will and how much he suffered.
On this point You must Render him to us, by Letting him Pass even Into Heaven.” (V9–10.17.10)
We Your little children of the Holy Divine Will pray You
from the depths of our hearts to bless Archbishop D’ Ascenzo
that he may love deeply Your little daughter of the Divine Will, Luisa Piccarreta
and will work fervently to establish the Reign of Your Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.
Bind Archbishop D”Ascenzo to Your Holy Divine Will and seal all his works with the Divine Seal.
May the Divine Will be his breath and heartbeat so that he will be Carried in Your Divine Arms,
and will be able to fulfill Your Desires of making Your Divine Will
Known, Loved and Possessed by all.
“I pray You to Give Grace to the one appointed in charge of Luisa’s Cause,
Archbishop D’ Ascenzo,
to make him All Yours, According to Your Heart” (V2-6.23.99)
We pray You to make him live of the Divine Will
and that the Divine Will may keep him sheltered, protected from all dangers and free from all evils.
“…I pray the Most Holy Virgin to Intercede with the Most Holy Trinity for Archbishop Pichierri,
and for Archbishop D’ Ascenzo,
for the Cause of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta,
and for All the little family of the Little Daughter of the Divine Will.” (V4 – 1.26.02)
Please take our humble prayer and make it Your Command,
Let All Be Accomplished and Completed In Your Most Holy Divine Will.
We Believe, We receive!
Fiat!
Amen!
