Mass for the Guild of Saint Stephen for Altar Servers

Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne,
on Friday, 20th May, 2005, at 7.30pm

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

A very warm welcome to this Mass for altar servers, which illustrates the importance of the server and the gifts that you have being placed at the service of Jesus in the Eucharist.

This year we are asked to remember who it is whom we offer and receive at Mass – Jesus Christ. Who it is who is present in our church so that we treat it with reverence and spend time in prayer. And how important it is to continue our journey to holiness by living close to Jesus and Mary.

As we pray especially for those to be received into the Guild of Saint Stephen, like Saint Stephen we ask that we will show Jesus Christ to the world by our life as we call to mind our sins.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our Gospel tonight indicates how important it is to have friends in our life. People with whom we can talk, with whom we are relaxed, who share our point of view, with whom we do things.

Tonight’s Gospel shows us that Jesus is our greatest friend and we have nothing to fear. On the road down from Jerusalem two friends were walking, afraid because Jesus had died. A mysterious stranger walked with them, explained the Scriptures and so impressed them that they said, “Stay with us, Lord, for it is almost evening.” They then recognised him in the breaking of bread.

This year Pope John Paul showed us how important it is to recognise Jesus in the celebration of the Eucharist, to adore him as our God in the church and by our words and deeds to show him to others.

As servers you have a special privilege of being closely associated with the Mass. Your own reverence, the way in which you act, helps people to pray and your own love for Jesus and belief in him is also a light showing the way. Try and remember when you are serving and thinking of what you have to do, that you are in the presence of a great friend. Try and be faithful to prayer, as I know you are loyal to your priests and your parish. As archbishop, I am deeply grateful for that.

Jesus wants us this year, not only to celebrate the Mass well, but to stop and pray before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This helps us to develop a friendship with him.

Notice what the Gospel says, “They felt their hearts burning within them as he spoke to them and explained the Scriptures.” ( Luke 24:32 ) Even the way in which their eyes were opened was a reminder to them that if Jesus walks with us then we will be changed.

One of Pope John Paul II’s great secrets was the time he spent praying with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, which gave him the courage and the joy to reach out to all kinds of people. He made you feel as if you were the only person in the world. Jesus will reassure us, give us strength and hope beyond what we imagine, if we do stop and pray before him.

On this special night when we rejoice in the servers we welcome into the Guild and remember that Jesus is the only friend who will never desert us, let us be sure that he understands us and we too can pray, “Stay with us, Lord”, as we know he has given us himself in the eucharistic celebration, and is present in the tabernacle in our church or in times of adoration. He, who is God, became a human being like us and returned to the Father to let us know that we need never be afraid.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.