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Dear brothers and sons,
Within the scope of the Great Jubilee, the Jubilee of the Second
Millenium, the feast of ChristÌs resurrection from among the
dead carries a special meaning. It means that Christ who was born
and lived on our land, in our area, instituted the sacraments, performed
wonders and miracles among people, died on the cross to redeem them
all and then has been raised from among the dead, is still the same.
He is living with us and among us. Two thousand years have passed
since he became man and came to our world, but he is still alive
in our hearts, inspiring us what to say and do. He arouses in our
hearts hope whenever we are assaulted by despair, enhances our zeal
whenever it is subjected to apathy, strengthens our determination
whenever our good will grows weaker and opens to us new horizons
whenever we think that distress has shut before us all means of
hope and salvation. Indeed, he is among us and with us. This was
assured by the prophet Isaiah when speaking about ChristÌs birth,
he said: ÏBehold, the Virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,Ó which means ¥God is with us.Ó1
He is with us, as stated in the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council
Constituion on the Sacred Liturgy : Ïin his Church, especially
in her liturgical celebrations . He is present in the sacrifice of
the Mass not only in the person of his minister , Ïthe same now offering
, through the ministry of priests , who formerly offered himself on
the cross,Ó but especially in the eucharistic species . By his power
he is present in the sacraments so that when anybody baptizes it is
really Christ himself who baptizes. He is present in his word
since it is he himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read
in the Church. Lastly , he is present when the Church prays and sings
, for he has promised ÏWhere two or three are gathered together
in my name, there am I in the midst of them.Ó2
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1- Matt 1:23
2- N 7
It is through his resurrection from among the dead that Christ
proved that he is truly God and Man. This is the greatest proof of
his divinity. This great event which took place about two thousand
years ago and no similar one has ever happened in human history, many
have tried, for about two thousand years, to deny it using arguments
and proofs which quickly proved to be vain. Indeed, Jesus rose from
the dead and as the letter To The Hebrews also says: ÏTherefore, he
is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he
lives forever to make intercession for them.Ó3
Dear brothers and sons,
The resurrection of Christ from among the dead is the rock which we
hold to, while we feel that the ground is slipping away under our
feet in these tragic circumstances we are going through. We have come
to feel that horizons are obstructed before us. We need not enumerate
the difficulties we all are suffering. The concern about the South
which is present before our eyes and on our minds, where people do
not know what will become of them? Will they be displaced or left
where they are, on their land, in their houses? They question themselves
who is responsible for them ? What is the role of the State in such
a situation ? The stifling economic crisis is a crisis that Lebanon
has not experienced since World War I. There are totally ruined citizens
who had never before experienced such a situation. Companies and factories
are closing down and dismissing their workers. University graduates
wonder what to do with their high degrees, since doors to employment
and livelihood seem to be closed before them. Nobody is directing
the up-coming generations to specialize in professions needed by Lebanese
society. Some professions are oversaturated, because of so many practicing
them specially in the fields of medecine, engineering and bar. Some
agriculturers are complaining from competition which prevents them
from selling their crops and make them leave their land lying fallow.
This is a dangerous state. Alone truth can save in such situations.
People must be educated to truth. A great Catholic thinker says: ¥Often
truth tries man. With no doubt, it is the strongest incentive to renounce
oneself to reach the very truth. Let us take the example of Pilate.
He knew well that the accused Jesus was innocent, that he had to release
him for the sake of justice, and he wished to do so. But this truth
entered into a struggle with his situation, as he was afraid it
would cause him problems and make him lose his office. Troubles might
break out and the emperor might get irritated , let alone other considerations
. That is why he sacrificed truth , which does neither raise a voice
nor defend itself, although the truth he renounced was filling his
heart with a vague coward feeling ÷Ó . He adds , some say : ÏI can
get rid of a problem if I stand somewhat against truth . On the
contrary , accepting the truthÌs consequences might cause
me innumerable troubles .
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3 ÇHeb 7:25
How many times this happens! How often we run away from truth÷ Thus,
compromizing with the group turns to be unjust to truth. Such minds,
skillful at changing according to each oneÌs taste, are but mirrors.Ó4
Would we proclaim truth without ambiguity, as it appears to us, then
we shall hope to have our situation rightened . The risen Christ is
the one who told us: ÏYou will know the truth , and the truth will
set you free.Ó5
We greet you all on this feast, residents and emigrants. We pray God
to grant you many returns, while peace will have returned to our land
and will our Country have recovered what it lost, since a quarter
of a century, as a consequence of its fear to speak up truth, and
have recovered its right to sovereignty, independence, free decision
and just, total peace.
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4 Ç Cardinal Ratzinger ÏA new Song to the
LordÓ p.219
5 Ç J 8 : 32
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Ïand if Christ has
not been raised, your faith is vainÓ
(1
Cor. 15:17)
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