Archbishop of Izmir, Mgr Martin Kmetec, issued a message on the occasion of Pentecost.
Holy Father, protect them in the name you gave me, that they may become one like us. (John 17:11)
”Dear Brothers;
Today and tomorrow, the sacred Word of the daily Mass liturgy makes us meditate on Jesus’ priestly prayer during the Last Supper (John chapter 17). The Supper where Jesus established the Eucharist, is the place of Jesus’ closest association with the Father, including his disciples gathered at the table.
The sole purpose of the disciple’s union is for the world to accept the man Christ as the true God and Savior; It is the salvation of all humanity by finding the purpose of their existence in the love of Father God. Knowing the Father will be the source of eternal life for believers. Unity means the body of the Church.
The Incarnation of the Word was made possible by the work of the Holy Spirit, the love from the Father and enabling the Son to be human. The Son forever renounced himself in his love for the Father, but also by coming to earth incarnated in the body of the Virgin Mary.
Likewise, we can say that the Church was born by the action of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit was bestowed upon Jesus’ last breath on the Cross, and it is the same Spirit that Jesus granted to his disciples on Easter. This Spirit of life and indescribable energy descended upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit is literally the Spirit of “perfect” unity and is the unity of the Church. The Holy Spirit, together with the Church, is the Church’s first and most important criterion of judgment that can exist in itself for one purpose: the world’s recognition of the Son, the incarnated Word.
Therefore, I ask everyone to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit for the salvation of the world, which can be accomplished, by our life, our testimony, and our proclamation even if they are made in insignificant ways.
On Wednesday, May 19, we had our monthly meeting, which has always meant “to be” the Church, to be part of the Church. The relevant day ended with the Rosary prayer addressed to our Mother Mary by the Church and us at the Church of the House of Virgin Mary. We are not gathered in this place just to show the world our prayers broadcast through media channels. This event is a gift for ourselves above all, to grow in favor of our needs and in union with the Mother of the Savior Son and Mary, our Mother. Thus, the world will be able to recognize the one and true God of peace and universal unity.
I greet you with brotherly affection as I beg for the blessing of the Father God and the descent of the Comforting Holy Spirit for all of us.”
Martin Kmetec, OFMConv.
Archbishop of Izmir
