Mass for Altar Servers of the Archdiocese

Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
at Mannix College, Clayton,
on Wednesday, 29th June, 2005, at 12.00pm

Introduction

My dear young friends,

I am delighted to be with Father Pritchard and you all in this special time of reflection and enjoyment.

Today we celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Saint Peter, the first Pope, a weak, very human man, who proclaimed, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Saint Paul, a convert, who at first killed the Christians. He met Christ powerfully and was a teacher throughout the then known world as a result of his conversion.

As we call to mind our sins, the Lord invites us to be converted to his service in faith and in witness. Let us ask the Lord to walk with us.

Homily

My dear young friends,

Today we honour Saint Peter and Saint Paul, very weak humans like us, who were transformed by God’s goodness. Saint Peter was very aware of his weakness. In the boat he said, ‘Keep away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.’ Three times he denied Jesus and yet he was strengthened by a three-fold profession, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ To such a man Jesus gave the role of being the first Pope and teacher of the faith because he was so ready to believe.

Saint Paul had persecuted the Christians and yet in Straight Street he was struck to the ground by the knowledge that Jesus was inviting him to change. From being its greatest persecutor, Saint Paul became the greatest protagonist and teacher of the faith with tireless journeys to bring others to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Our service on the altar is something, which brings us close to these two men. With Peter, we too serve at Mass because we believe that bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ and we can draw close to our God. That belief sustains us in our journey, that there is more in life than the merely human and Jesus is inviting each of us to discover what it is to know him, how we have no need to be afraid and how he will support us.

From Saint Paul we can learn that it is not a great thing to have a big change in our life if we say ‘yes’ to God. Our enthusiastic embracing of what God asks of us is an important change, which can come into our life and set us on fire. If we love someone, then the things we are asked to do for them take on a new significance. Think of what you would do for your friends. Remember that Jesus is a greater friend than ever, who will never desert you, who will show you even greater things. When the rich man said, ‘Master, where do you live?’ Jesus said, ‘Come and see.’

Today, like Saint Peter, and Saint Paul when he fell off his horse being struck down, the Lord invites you all to come and see, to know what his plans are for you, not to be afraid of them, but to know that he will support you.

I thank you for your goodness and I am grateful for the support of your leaders and parents in bringing you to this Seminar and as Archbishop, I promise that I will pray for you always. With Jesus on our side, Saint Paul said, no one can be against because it is our God who sets us free. Thank you for being the fine young people that you are.

May Jesus walk with you and may you follow the example of Saint Peter in believing and loving Jesus, and of Saint Paul in showing his love to others. You and I, each of us, also can make a difference and let us in the Creed profess our faith.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.