Artur Hanula
As reported by Vatican News, in his homily, the superior general of the Pallottines, Fr. Zenon Hanas SAC, emphasized that biblical prophets use unambiguous language. “There was no ambiguity in their teachings. White meant white, black meant black. That is why their language was sharp as a sword,” said the preacher. “To some listeners, it brought comfort, strengthening, and hope. Others felt offended by the criticism, threatened in their privileges, and wanted to silence the prophets. That is why the lives of the prophets were not easy. Every single one of them was persecuted without exception, and many gave their lives for using unambiguous language.”
An encouragement to trust in God
In today’s first reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, a strong encouragement to trust in God, not in man, resonated. “For Jeremiah, the boundary between curse and blessing is clearly defined. Cursed is he who puts his hope in man and in his own strength. This can be physical strength, military, political, or economic strength. Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord,” noted Fr. Hanas.
At the same time, the prophet encourages crossing this boundary in one direction. “He invites us to trust in the Lord and enter the Kingdom of Blessing. Man is free in his decision. It is enough to utter the words ‘Jesus, I trust in You!’ from the depths of your heart with the greatest conviction,” said the preacher.
St. John Paul II – a model of trust in God
Fr. Zenon Hanas recalled that thanks to St. John Paul II, the image of Merciful Jesus reached every corner of the world. The words “Jesus, I trust in You!” are spoken in almost all languages and dialects. “As the superior general of the Pallottines, I often visit my confreres around the world, and we serve in over 50 countries. I am always moved when, in some small chapel somewhere in Africa, India, or the Philippines, I see a simple, often cardboard, image of Merciful Jesus with a caption in a language and alphabet I cannot read, but I know the meaning of those words and repeat with all my heart: ‘Jesus, I trust in You!'” Fr. Hanas recounted.
The unambiguous message of Jesus’ parables
As the superior general of the Pallottines pointed out, in today’s Gospel, Jesus is also unambiguous. The contrast Jesus used in describing the lives of the rich man and the beggar amplifies this message. “The rich man feasted every day. He dressed in purple and fine linen. Purple and fine linen were very rare fabrics made from thin threads of sea mollusks living in the Mediterranean Sea. The fabric was so expensive that it could only be found in the pyramids of the pharaohs. Today’s luxury clothing brands are nothing compared to fine linen and purple. The poor man ate scraps from the rich man’s table, and dogs licked his sores,” the preacher indicated.
“This parable is also an invitation to cross a boundary – an invitation addressed to the rich, to the powerful, to trust in God and cross this boundary in one direction – towards poor Lazarus,” said Fr. Zenon Hanas. “Jesus says that one day this boundary will turn into an abyss that can no longer be crossed,” he added.
“Let us pray that the words of the prophets may be heard today by the great and powerful of this world and by the small, and that they may lead everyone to fraternal solidarity, to blessing, to peace, and to eternal salvation,” concluded Fr. Zenon Hanas.
The Holy Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul II gathered many participants, residents of Rome, as well as pilgrims. Approximately 60 priests concelebrated it, including the Papal Almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.
