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April 25, 2008
A Shepherd's Message
Dedication Homily,
Part 2
By Daniel Cardinal
DiNardo
EDITOR’S NOTE: the following are excerpts from the conclusion
of Cardinal DiNardo’s homily at the Mass of Dedication for the
new Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, April 2. Cardinal DiNardo
will include his reflections on the papal trip to the United
States in the next issue of The Texas Catholic Herald.
Once you walk down the aisle from the baptistry, the central
focus of this building is the altar. It is the centerpiece of
this cathedral. That is where the “hour” of Jesus will always
take place – this is where we enter the “hour” of Jesus’ death
and resurrection. All of the lines of this building converge on
that altar table, even the magnificent crucifix – mindful of St.
John’s words about Jesus: “When I am lifted up, I will draw all
things to myself.” His gaze is upon the altar. The sacrificial
table, the tomb, the place of encounter…with the crucified Risen
Jesus, the new covenant – yes, that is all here at the altar.
And it is at this point that I express my gratitude to all of
the priests of this archdiocese. From the beginning, they have
collaborated with Archbishop (Joseph A.) Fiorenza, seeing the
realization of this home, this co-cathedral together with the
venerable, historical cathedral basilica in Galveston. These two
places are the two focal points of one ellipse to Catholic faith
in this archdiocese. I can’t tell you how proud I am of our
priests, diocesan and religious – on the front lines in
parishes, doing their work, trying to also build up their own
communities, but in communion with Archbishop Fiorenza and with
me. (They) have done so much for the fruitful carrying out and
completion of this building.
Priests of the Lord of Galveston-Houston, thank you.
The permanent deacons are here too. The permanent deacons not
only proclaim the Gospel, they also distribute the chalice of
the Lord. They are ordained for service in the community.
Permanent deacons, thank you for your presence here. Thank you
for your collaboration all over the diocese, beginning with our
priests and our shepherds. I am grateful you are here, deacons.
We are many cultures; we are many nations, many languages here.
Sisters and brothers, what makes us one people is this altar
table. Today in the Gospel Jesus calls Zacchaeus down and says
“I will eat at your house.” This is the 13th dinner that Jesus
has celebrated since Chapter 6 in the Gospel of St. Luke. (As an
Italian, I appreciate deeply that Jesus goes to dinner so
frequently.) But every time one dines with Jesus in the Gospel
of St. Luke, something significant happens. This dinner is the
final one before Palm Sunday. Salvation has come to this house.
Zacchaeus does not call him “Jesus;” St. Luke says Zacchaeus
calls Jesus “Lord,” the title of the risen Jesus. The meals with
Christ in St. Luke’s Gospel will reach a high point on that
Thursday night at the Last Supper; there Jesus gives His Body
and Blood as food and nourishment as He anticipates His
sacrifice the next day. Friends, that is the “hour.” We come to
the “hour” at every Mass. We are about to enter it now.
“Zacchaeus, come down, I want to eat dinner with you today.”
From this day forward, the “hour” of Jesus is ours here. What
great honor and privilege it is for me to enter the Pascal
Mystery celebrated here. I look to the image of Jesus in the
Gospel of St. Luke and what comes to mind is that statue of the
Sacred Heart. In the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus is infinite
compassion all of the time, always compassionate. The Gospel of
St. Luke is particularly interested in the Virgin Mary. If you
gaze at her statue, though it weighs a few tons, she appears as
though she is floating in air. It is the lightness, the energy
of doing God’s will. The Virgin Mary is the effective energetic
acceptance of discipleship and motherhood who keeps telling us
“go to Him, to Jesus and His Sacred Heart.” Both look upon the
altar in the center of this church.
Sisters and brothers, it is indeed a great day. I beg the Lord
Jesus in his Sacred Heart to look down upon us all – on every
language, nation, tongue and culture in this archdiocese.
Friends of any culture, race and nation, you are welcome here,
you are welcome in this church – a house on earth, receptive to
all. May the Lord bless us, give us His grace and strength.
“Zacchaeus, come down. I want to have
supper with you now.”
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