Jesus came into the world out of God's love for humanity, which is why we must learn from Him love for others, as well as for our homeland – stated Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski during the Holy Mass celebrated on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the outbreak of the January Uprising at the Sanctuary of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.
At the beginning of his homily, Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski emphasized that with the coming of Jesus Christ, the announcement of the messianic gifts He brought to the world was fulfilled: light, joy and gladness, freedom.
What can be done so that these gifts are available to people two thousand years after Christ's coming?
"Believe me. For whoever believes in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will be saved," answered the Metropolitan of Krakow, quoting the Gospel according to Saint John.
Referring to the teaching of Pope Benedict XVI, he emphasized that faith is a personal encounter with Christ. Jesus came into the world out of God's love for humanity, and it is therefore from Him that we must learn to love and care for others.
"Love is not only a feeling, but also a sense of responsibility for the life of every human being, every child, from the moment of conception," said the Archbishop, adding that an expression of this love is also a concern for the education of children and youth.
They are taught love, surrounded by full care, so that they may grow in faith, so that the content concerning the truth about the world and humanity, which they receive in kindergartens and schools, is not obscured by any evil ideology, emphasized the Metropolitan.
The Archbishop stressed that this love should also awaken concern for the homeland and its future. He recalled that prayer for the homeland has been ongoing in the Archdiocese of Krakow since December, especially on the first Saturdays of the month and every 14th of the month. This prayer is accompanied by great figures of saints and candidates for the altars –
"Poles who, in their lives, knew how to combine love for the Lord God, for other peoples, for their native land, their culture and their history."
The Metropolitan of Krakow recalled that January 22 marks the 160th anniversary of the outbreak of the January Uprising. In this context, he recalled the figure of Saint Sigismund Felix Felinski, who is the patron of prayers for the homeland in January.
Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski quoted excerpts from a letter written by the former Metropolitan of Warsaw to Tsar Alexander II, after which Archbishop Sigismund Felix Felinski was exiled to Yaroslavl on the Volga for 20 years. – He was a symbol of constancy.
"He was a witness of how one must combine the love of God with love for the homeland – even if it involves persecution and exile," said the Metropolitan of Krakow and recalled that during the beatification, John Paul II gave the new Blessed as an example, especially for Bishops, who "must in their attitude bear witness to the love of God, but who must also defend the most fundamental rights of the homeland."
Also read | Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – homily of Father Warren
The Archbishop emphasized that the anniversary of the January Uprising is an occasion to pray for Poland, but also for a just peace in Ukraine.
"They too have a right to their independence, their land, their traditions, the feeling of being a truly free people," said the Metropolitan of Krakow.
This article was originally published by Ekai (Article Link).