Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – Statistics are difficult to make and even more difficult to interpret. King David was punished by God because he wanted to make a censure of his people. God is the Lord of history. But human beings like to take stock so than can feel at peace with their conscience. They adore figures, they make them feel important, the Little Prince used to say.
The local Church in Jerusalem, to tell the truth, prefers Peter and Paul. However she did organised a few celebrations for the Year of St Paul. An ecumenical Eucharist presided by Bishops of the Assembly of Ordinaries brought together religious men and women and the students at our Bible Centre in the Basilica of St Stephen in November 2008. The occasion was important for dialogue, because at every level Jerusalem needs bridges rather than walls.
The Custodians of the Holy Land, organised an exhibition of art on St Paul at our Christian Information Centre, close to the port of Jaffa. The inauguration of the exhibition was an opportunity to present various aspects of the personality of the Apostle of the Nations, especially Paul's attitude towards women, a theme of great interest for men in the near East. The annual Week of Theological Reflection, organised every year after Easter by the Franciscan Bible Study Centre was on the theme of the Theology of St Paul. The local religious Sisters, as usual, occupied all the seats.
Various professors from Bible Centres in Jerusalem were guest speakers at Congresses on St Paul in different parts of the world: Peru, Damascus in Syria, Valencia… articles and books were written to spread the message of the Apostle. Some of us even led groups on a cruise to places of St Paul, organised by the Assumption Fathers of the Mediterranean region.
Also in Cyprus, which is part of the diocese of Jerusalem, a pilgrimage to Pafo offered local and international communities an opportunity to recall Paul's stay on that Island. Our women religious went to visit the monastery and the tomb of Barnabas situated in the Turkish half of the island, because too often Paul is separated from his companions of mission. Paul, without Barnabas, of Cypriot origin, would never have been able to organise his first missionary journey.
The programme for the official closing of the Year of St Paul, foresees that Cardinal Walter Kasper will preside some celebrations in Jerusalem. On 29 June sung solemn Vespers will gather the faithful in the Basilica of Saint Stephen. The place of Stephen's martyrdom will remind everyone of the presence of Saul who approved the stoning of the deacon. On 30 June a Holy Mass will be celebrated at Maritime Cesarea, where the Apostle remained two years before going on to Rome. Bishops and priests, about to start an inter-rite spiritual retreat, will accompany Cardinal Kasper. In the evening at Akko-Ptolemaide, where the Apostle stopped after his third journey, a Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated in three different places: the Maronite church, the Melkite church and the Latin church. On the waters' edge the Cardinal will impart the Blessing.
I had the good fortune to be present for the ecumenical opening of the Year of St Paul in Tarsus and in Antioch, on 29 June last year. A tiny local community in this difficult land bears witness to faith in the Risen Christ. Not even the church in Tarsus or the cave in Antioch, belong to the Church. The churches are museums. I will have the grace of accompanying an international groups of our students for the closing of the Holy Year in the month of June. To be able celebrate the Eucharist, commemorate the death and resurrection of the Lord and recall the gift of the Spirit, who gives the Church missionary dynamism, is indeed a great gift.
From 10 to 16 June Jerusalem will celebrate a Festival of Light with exceptional special illumination in different parts of the city. The initiative is organised by the Municipality of Jerusalem, not o the local Church. Artistically illuminated the city walls remind us of the maternal vocation of this city where Paul studied at the feet of Gamaliele. One particularly well lit up building is the protestant Church of the Redeemer, only a stone's throw from the Holy Sepulchre. Rays of light illuminate the Lamb over the church doorway. The light of the Lamb illuminates the whole city. “Come, I will show you the Bride of the Lamb ”, says the author of the Book of Revelation by John. If God is 'Pantocrat', as He is in eastern Christian tradition, He is making use of Israel and this city's Festival of Light to remind us that Christ is the firstborn of creation and that in Him everything has its being.
Therefore, although unknowingly, Jerusalem is paying homage to Saul of Tarsus, its most famous, known throughout the world. It is the Jews who are calling Christians at the close of the Year of St Paul, to pass from the shadows to the light. God's logic is always a surprise... or perhaps interreligious dialogue has entered a new stage. (p. Frédéric Manns OFM, Director emeritus of Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Jerusalem) (Agenzia Fides 26/6/2009 righe 63, parole 787)
