Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Good day. It's Sunday, May 18th, the fifth Sunday of Easter.
[00:00:23] Our thoughts turn first to a sacred shrine and pilgrimage site.
[00:00:27] Tucked away in the heart of Bavaria is a small town with a hidden treasure, the Shrine of Our lady of Altotting.
[00:00:36] Often referred to as the Lords of Germany, this shrine is a place where miracles have taken place for centuries.
[00:00:44] Pilgrims travel there from around the world, seeking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for physical and or spiritual healing.
[00:00:53] They come to venerate and pray before a statue of Mary that is believed to have been carved in the 13th century.
[00:01:01] Just over 2ft tall, its origins are unknown. It may have come from France, or someone may have crafted it locally. Over the years, it has darkened, likely from the candles lit in prayer, earning it the nickname the Black Madonna.
[00:01:19] Since 1489, the statue has attracted even more pilgrims after a young boy reportedly came back to life after he tragically drowned. His mother placed his body before the Black Madonna and he was revived, although that is the most famous healing to have taken place. The chapel walls are lined with silver votive offerings left by those whose prayers were answered.
[00:01:46] In 2006, the Black Madonna received a very special gift to adorn her scepter, an amethyst ring set in gold.
[00:01:55] And not just any ring. It's the one Pope Benedict's siblings gave him at the time he was ordained a bishop in 1977.
[00:02:04] He gifted this ring to the Black Madonna during a pastoral visit to the shrine shortly after he was elected pope.
[00:02:20] Our Sunday reflection focuses on love for each other. Let's listen.
[00:02:29] Today's gospel makes clear how important a commandment to love one another is.
[00:02:35] Jesus gave the commandment to his disciples when he was only hours away from death, and he knew it.
[00:02:42] At a time like that, the things a person says are important.
[00:02:46] And among Jesus. Last words, I give you a new love one another.
[00:02:53] Given the reverence of Jesus and the Jewish people for the commandments of Moses, he certainly did not use these words lightly. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave this new commandment in the context of a ritual meal, the Passover. And he emphasized that this was to be the trademark of his followers.
[00:03:13] This is how all will know you for my disciples, your love for one another.
[00:03:32] We're dealing here with the love of disciples for one another, the love we have for each other as Catholics or as Christians.
[00:03:41] Here, Jesus is specifically talking about the way Christians welcome and support and nurture and love each other.
[00:03:50] This is to be the trademark of his followers.
[00:03:53] If you took a poll on what the trademark of Catholics is, would you find people talking about the way we love one another?
[00:04:02] It's hard to live up to the values that Jesus taught. His forgiveness and his generosity and his love.
[00:04:11] It's hard to hope and to dream when things are low.
[00:04:15] It's hard to be gentle in a violent world.
[00:04:18] But perhaps there will come a day in the not too distant future when people will be asked to comment on the most outstanding trademark of Catholics, and they will say they love one another.
