Homily of H.E. Mons. Claudio Gatti of December 6, 2007

1st Reading: Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 117; Gospel: Mt 7:21, 24-27

I want to meditate and reflect with you on this sentence we just have heard from the Gospel: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Mt 7:21). I will exactly explain this sentence from the Gospel so that you too can understand Christ's teaching.

What does our Lord mean? For the moment I leave this question pending as I want to make some considerations first.

Several times it happened to you to listen to priests you knew or had the suspicion they were not good ministers of God and were surprised by the beautiful and interesting words they spoke. These priests belong to the category of those who merely speak. Now you better understand the teaching of the Gospel: the true and authentic disciple of the Lord is the one of His closest and does His will, acting like He wants and does not just talk.

Even if the writings of these ministers were reported by media, published by newspapers, presented on television or would become subject of studies, seminars, or even if their works would get worldwide impact, these pastors could not be considered God's friends because they do not do His will.

Now you understand my need to speak to you: our Lord once again wants us to understand to distinguish the man of God from the one who does not belong to Him and this means to do or not to do His divine will. The friends of God are those who, in order to do His will, face suffering, loss, sacrifice and persecution. Instead the others will probably flaunt mercy, show to be pious and devout, but only in words; However, some of the believers, will naively remain amazed when listening to them.

Remember what Jesus revealed to us in June: "By now you know that many priests are not right, not even those who have the task to perform exorcism. Exorcists take advantage of their position to do whatever they want; they talk badly and behave badly. There are exorcist priests who are possessed. But worry not, if you are with Me, I am with you; if you love Me, I love you" (Letter of God, June 15, 2007). Unfortunately, some exorcists who are called to fight and chase away the demons from the body, and I say it again from the body and not the soul because the devil cannot take possession of the soul, are themselves devil's slaves. Satan works through them, sowing confusion, discord and panic. It does not matter if it's an exorcist, the devil is the father of lies, and does not even spare those with the label of "Exorcist". Satan comes when the door is wide open. Hate, revulsion, envy, jealousy, slander and defamation are the cracks in the doors through which the devil comes in and, as Jesus said, once he is inside a house destroys and sweeps everything away.

Therefore, it can be intimate and closer to God a child in a state of grace who loves Jesus in the same way as he manages to love his parents. It is much closer to God a sick person ignored by everyone who often lives alone and in his suffering: he is on the cross in the bed of pain, lonely and in the company of suffering, but he is closer to God. Remember how Jesus calls the elderly "My pearls", you have to consider yourselves as pearls of Jesus.

These are realities we have to keep in mind and do not follow the usual platitudes, but hear, listen and be faithful and obedient to the Word of God. Once again you see how the Word of God is wonderful, clear, enlightening so that in your life you may be no longer impressed by those who show joined hands, twisted necks or grazed knees, but see if they do the will of God.

Those who do His will are much higher than those who claim to present and make known the face of Christ to others.