Cardinals Elect Pope with Divine Guidance – May 07 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 07, 2025, where he reflects on the Holy Spirit’s role in the papal conclave and the Eucharist as the bread of eternal life, urging prayer for the cardinals’ discernment.

Father begins by addressing the papal conclave, noting that the Holy Spirit’s role is not to directly choose the Pope but to guide like an educator, leaving room for human freedom, as Benedict XVI once explained. He emphasizes the Church’s call to prayer, modeled on the disciples’ unity with Mary in the Cenacle before Pentecost (Acts 1:14), to seek a pope who serves the salvation of souls (CCC 1741). The Sistine Chapel’s setting, with Michelangelo’s Last Judgment, reminds electors of their accountability to God (Matthew 25:31-46). Father urges docility to the Spirit, a willingness to learn, for both electors and faithful.

He then reflects on the Gospel, where Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), promising eternal life to believers. The manna prefigures the Eucharist (Exodus 16:4), which some, like St. Catherine of Siena, miraculously lived on. Despite evidence, the crowd struggles to believe, illustrating the challenge of faith (John 6:36). Jesus insists that all who come to Him will be received, alluding to predestination but affirming sufficient grace for salvation (CCC 600). The Eucharist ensures resurrection (John 6:39), as seen in St. Stephen’s fearless martyrdom (Acts 7:55-60) and St. Philip’s evangelization (Acts 8:5-8). Father concludes by calling for a pope who leads in spreading this faith, uniting the Church in Christ, the true bread.

For Further Reading

Acts 1:14 - NAB - Disciples pray with Mary. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/1?14
Matthew 25:31-46 - NAB - The Last Judgment. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25?31
John 6:35 - NAB - I am the bread of life. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?35
Exodus 16:4 - NAB - Manna from heaven. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/16?4
John 6:36 - NAB - Seeing yet not believing. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?36
John 6:39 - NAB - Resurrection through the Eucharist. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?39
Acts 7:55-60 - NAB - Stephen’s martyrdom. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/7?55
Acts 8:5-8 - NAB - Philip’s evangelization. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/8?5
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1741 - Liberation and salvation through Christ. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1741.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #600 - God’s universal plan of salvation. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/600.htm

00:00 - Opening Prayer
00:05 - Conclave Introduction
00:27 - Holy Spirit’s Role
01:34 - Call to Prayer
03:33 - Liturgical Ceremonies
04:01 - Sistine Chapel Setting
05:41 - Gospel on Eucharist
08:15 - Stephen and Philip

Ave Maria!

Mass: Wednesday 3rd Week of Easter - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050725.cfm
1st: act 8:1-8
Resp: psa 66:1-7
Gsp: joh 6:35-40

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1704

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