GROSSARD André (Father) - France
Paris (France), 29 January 1928 - Nay (France), 3 March 2016
Homily by Laurent Bacho scj
Texts 2 Cor 4,14 - 5,1 and John 9, 25-30
We have chosen this Gospel text corresponding to the liturgical season we are celebrating just now; this second part of Lent brings us to contemplate the Pascal mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Also here at Betharram on the 400th anniversary of the miracle of the Cross, we are more aware of the mystery of the Cross which is the source of the mercy of God the Father which we are contemplating in this Holy Year. As religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Betharram our Rule of Life shows us that the sick “with Our Lady at the foot of the Cross share very closely in the redemption of mankind.” We know the sufferings which Fr Andre Grossard endured, the sufferings of seeing himself diminished, the sufferings of seeing his own body, that “outer human nature falling into decay”. Following in the footsteps of Jesus he had to drink the bitter dregs of which the Gospel speaks and which filled him with bitterness. His illness was a source of physical and psychological torment preventing him from having a calm and serene relationship with his community and friends. Thanks to our Faith we believe that death frees us from the degradation of the exterior so that the inner being can benefit from the extraordinary weight of eternal glory which “God the Father prepared for him and which He is preparing for us” as St Paul assures us.
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