Cardinal Robert Sarah urged the faithful to prioritize love and adoration of God, following the example of St. Anne. The homily was delivered at a Mass commemorating the 400th anniversary of St. Anne's apparition in France. Cardinal Sarah emphasized the importance of faith in a world that often rejects God and holds distorted religious views.
5 months ago
Cardinal Robert Sarah, in a forceful homily, urged the faithful to prioritize God and adoration above all else, following the example of St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1. Speaking at the 400th anniversary of St. Anne's apparition in Sainte-Anne-d’Auray, France, he emphasized that God must come first in a world that increasingly rejects Him 1.
Cardinal Sarah criticized the contemporary Western view that often equates religion with humanitarian actions, charity, or personal development, asserting this perspective is fundamentally wrong 1. He contended that while such issues are important, true religion is not merely about human well-being or prosperity, as societies focused solely on wealth and earthly comfort tend towards self-destruction by forgetting God 1. The Cardinal implicitly condemned recent French legislation, including the constitutional right to abortion, as "barbaric and inhuman laws" that take life when God desires it 1.
He underscored the importance of Eucharistic adoration as the "highest expression of our gratitude to God," requiring silence and setting oneself apart 1. Churches, he stressed, are sacred spaces reserved exclusively for God's worship, not for concerts, cultural activities, or entertainment 1. The liturgy, according to Sarah, is for the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful, demanding beauty, nobility, and sacredness, and is not a human spectacle 1.
Cardinal Sarah called for a rebuilding of the "church of our soul," urging individuals not to profane their baptized souls by allowing disordered passions, worldly entertainment, or idols of money and screens to displace God 1. He advocated for daily, intense silent prayer and confession as means for God to speak, convert, and draw individuals back to Himself 1. Profaning one's inner life through sin and worldly pursuits risks missing one's true purpose and never truly being oneself 1.
Referencing St. Anne's suffering before Mary's birth, Cardinal Sarah presented silent adoration as the only fitting response to the mystery of evil and suffering 1. He affirmed that adoring trust in God is stronger than the absurdity of evil and is the sole remedy for ensuring lasting peace for humanity 1. He also encouraged priests, despite their many duties, to dedicate time to adoration, assuring that confident adoration can overcome despair and that the grace to adore God will never be taken away 1.
How does the Church define true worship of God?
The Catholic Church defines true worship of God as a continuous profession of Catholic faith and a continuous exercise of hope and charity . This worship is fundamentally Trinitarian, directed to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit . It is an expression of faith, exercised under ecclesiastical authority, and is considered a matter of justice, as God is entitled to the worship of intelligent creatures .
In summary, the Church defines true worship as a comprehensive, Trinitarian act of faith, hope, and charity, deeply rooted in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, aimed at uniting believers with God, fulfilling His will, and participating in the divine glorification of the Holy Trinity.