My brothers and sisters, let us always participate prayerfully and actively in the celebration of the Eucharist because true and authentic participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, identifies us with Jesus’s Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.
So my sisters and brothers, since God’s presence in our soul in this life is an invitation to increase constantly the intensity of our personal closeness to the Him, let us come closer to Him today as we celebrate the feast of the dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica by being reverent and respectful to Him when we enter a church, recognizing that He is present in the Tabernacle and that His Divine grace in us makes us His living temples.
My dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and as we come to the end of our liturgical year today, let us pray for the grace to continue to establish God’s kingdom in our world and society today by living out His gospel of love through the call to Service, Humility, Justice and Dedication.