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The Time After Pentecost
so-called Roman Patriarchate gathered with many pilgrims to celebrate this feast with the pope
and to hold the yearly Roman council. It was a feast of harmonious love of the family of God,
united with their father at the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles.
“Be ye all of one mind.” With these words the Prince of the Apostles preaches the gospel of love
to the congregation gathered around his tomb. “Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one
of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, and humble; not rendering evil
for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing; for unto this are you called, that you
may inherit a blessing” (Epistle). This ardent wish of the Apostle is also the wish of our Holy
Mother the Church; but it is more than that, it is the longing desire of the Savior Himself. It is
He who prays to the Father during the Last Supper: “That they all may be one, as Thou, Father,
in Me, and I in Thee; that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou
hast sent Me” ( Jn 17:21). Christ wishes us to be one in faith, one in charity, one in prayer, one
heart and soul, especially when partaking of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We do not pray
as isolated individuals, each for himself. We do not say, “O God, hear me”; but, “Our Father”;
“Give us this day our daily bread”; “Let us pray”; “Pour forth Thy love into our hearts.” It is clear
that our prayer must be a prayer with the community, for the interests of the community, and
according to their intentions and desires, their needs and wants. We must pray with the Church
and her liturgy. We follow St. Peter’s admonition most perfectly when, uniting ourselves with
the liturgy, we subordinate our “I” to “we.”
In order to be one in prayer, it is necessary, of course, that in our daily life we are one in heart
and soul, “having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest,
humble.” Such a life will be impossible without abundant grace and a spirit of charity that
suppresses self and is willing to suffer everything for Christ’s sake, speaking no guile, forgiving
injuries, blessing all men. We shall live as we pray, and we shall pray as we live.
“Sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts” (Epistle). When we recall the time of Nero in
Rome, we see how this cruel tyrant, thirsting for the blood of the Christians, accuses them of
having set fire to the city of Rome. He calls them enemies and haters of humanity, of culture,
and of the state; he has them murdered in a most cruel way, and amuses himself with the sight
of their agonies. But St. Peter consoles his congregation of Christians: “Who is he that can hurt
you if you be zealous of good? But if also you suffer anything for justice’s sake, blessed are ye.
And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled; but sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts”
(Epistle). Look upon Christ and believe in Him. Him they accused of the worst crimes, but He
held His peace and submitted humbly and patiently to the unjust condemnation to death. He
did not threaten nor curse His enemies, but, asking grace and forgiveness from His Father, He
prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34). “Sanctify the Lord
Christ in your hearts”; believe in Him, follow Him, and persecution will be unable to harm you.
In eternity you will be glorified with Him, as you have suffered injustice with Him. There always
will be those who calumniate and persecute Christ in His Church and her members. If only we
persevere in doing good, if only we are just and holy, preserving a good conscience, believing
in Christ, adhering to His teachings, and following His example, that is sufficient. “The Lord is
my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Introit.)
“Be ye all of one mind.” “If, therefore, thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember
that thy brother hath anything against thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first
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