Page 129 - spiritual_accompaniment_montreal_archdiocese

HOMILIES

Someone can love very much, and even if it seems that he does not believe very much, the
simple fact of this love is a sign that God is at work in his heart. Jesus Christ is risen! Our life
is full of signs that show us how much Jesus Christ is truly present in our life: to calm us, to
comfort us, and to guide us! We cannot open our heart to him without being transformed by
Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, we can also be afraid of Jesus Christ! We can be afraid of the resurrection.
Maybe, at the bottom of it all, we are afraid that Jesus will ask us to change our lives. He might
ask us to improve certain things in our lives. He might ask us something of us or lead us on a
path that we hadn’t considered or were not yet ready to prioritize.

Perhaps, this could be a path towards vocation to the consecrated life. Perhaps, it is a path to
a vocation to marriage, for we know that marriage is a vocation. To respond to the vocation
of marriage, we have to decide that we seek married life. We know how demanding marriage
is, we know that it requires giving one’s life definitively, without ever taking back on our
commitment.

The Lord can give us the grace that strengthens us, that encourages us to say ‘yes,’ no matter
in which way we are called. A generous ‘yes, an honest ‘yes,’ and a confident ‘yes,’ be it to the
sacrament of marriage or another way his love calls you.

But maybe we are struggling with the loss of a loved one. In this case, we feel alone, distressed,
and our soul is said and feels as if we were dying. In such a time, we must pray frequently, we
must continue to pray, and we must pray again. Right now, we cannot even have funeral
services for our dead, but we can continue to pray for them and we continue to pray without
ceasing for all intentions that we keep in our heart.

Perhaps you have experienced the peace that Jesus Christ gives us out of pure grace. For Jesus
Christ has the power to offer us his peace. The first words that Jesus spoke when he appeared
to his disciples and apostles after his resurrection were: “Peace be with you.” Nothing can
stand in the way of Jesus Christ giving us his peace. Not even death could prevent this.
Nothing can prevent Jesus Christ from giving us his peace. Each time when you feel anxious
or worried, ask Jesus Christ and say: “Lord, I feel anxious.” Just share with him what troubles
you and he will give you his peace.
Be not afraid to entrust it to the Lord. “I am worried about the future. I am worried about my
family. I am worried about the health of my grandparents and my parents.” The Lord will
provide you his peace. He will give you his peace so that it will comfort you, he responds to
our prayer by bringing peach to the hearts of those for whom you pray.

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 129