On April 25th, the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, H.E. Raymond Cardinal Burke celebrated Pontifical Mass at the Throne in Frankfurt-Schwanheim, Germany. The occasion was the 25th anniversary of the association Pro Missa Tridentina. In his sermon Cardinal Burke Spoke of the lion in the vision of St. Ezechiel, the symbol of St. Mark. St. Mark is associated with the lion, Cardinal Burke said, because he begins his Gospel with the prophecy of St. John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness, like a roaring lion. The lion’s courage of John the Baptist foreshadows the courage with which Our Lord Himself proclaims the Gospel, and calls all men to an unconditional conversion.
When one looks at the corruption and confusion and opposition to the most basic principles of the natural law which the devil has sown in the world, and even within the Church herself, Cardinal Burke continued, it is easy to become discouraged and lose heart. But St. Mark teaches us to take courage, and oppose evil the courage of the lion, knowing that the Lord Himself is with us. Our very suffering in this time should fill us with joy that we can “fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ.
When one looks at the corruption and confusion and opposition to the most basic principles of the natural law which the devil has sown in the world, and even within the Church herself, Cardinal Burke continued, it is easy to become discouraged and lose heart. But St. Mark teaches us to take courage, and oppose evil the courage of the lion, knowing that the Lord Himself is with us. Our very suffering in this time should fill us with joy that we can “fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ.
