Al-Rahi: Lebanon is not built by selfishness but by a culture of giving and unity

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi presided over the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Corpus Christi at the Institute of the Apostles – Jounieh, with the participation of a number of bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and a large crowd of faithful and spiritual, social, and political figures.

Al-Rahi set out from the Patriarchal See in Bkerke after the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, which was held in the See within the bishops' retreat, accompanied by Bishop Hanna Alwan, the Patriarchal Vicar General, Bishop Youhana Rafic Al-Warcha, Bishop George Shehan, Bishop of Egypt, Bishop Boulos Rouhana, and Father Camillo Mikhail, the Private Secretary, along with the media and security delegation.

The celebration began with a welcoming speech delivered by the Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Missionaries, Father Elias Suleiman, who welcomed Patriarch Al-Rahi, the bishops, priests, and participating faithful, expressing his gratitude to "His Beatitude for accepting the invitation and presiding over this annual celebration, which has become a unifying spiritual station for the people of Jounieh and Keserwan around the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament," affirming that "this feast renews faith in the living presence of Christ in His Church and in the lives of believers. The Sacrament is the mystery of Christ's permanent presence in the Church."

After the recitation of the Holy Gospel, Patriarch Al-Rahi delivered a homily in which he addressed the deep meaning of the Feast of Corpus Christi, affirming that "the Church celebrates on this day the mystery of Christ's permanent presence in the midst of His people through the Eucharist." He explained that "the Lord Jesus did not leave His Church orphaned, but gave Himself to it in the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament, becoming nourishment for spiritual life and a source of strength, unity, holiness, and mission," and said: "The Eucharist is not merely a historical memory of the Last Supper, but a living and renewed presence of Christ who accompanies His people in every time and place." His Beatitude also paused at the painful tragedy that befell the Karam family in Al-Qleiaa, offering prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims, and expressing his solidarity with their families and all the suffering, affirming that "Christ, present in the mystery of the Sacrament, remains a source of consolation and hope in the face of pain and death."

Proceeding from the mystery of the Sacrament, which is based on complete giving and self-sacrifice, Al-Rahi directed "a clear national message," emphasizing that "Lebanon cannot rise by the logic of private interests or narrow calculations, but by a culture of giving, sacrifice, and working for the common good," and said: "Christ, who broke Himself as bread for others, offers the model that Lebanon needs today, in a time when crises and divisions multiply and political, economic, and social challenges grow."

He affirmed that "the homeland is not built by selfishness, but by a spirit of participation and solidarity, and is not preserved by confrontations and conflicts, but by meeting, dialogue, and rallying around the unifying national interest," stressing that "the mystery of the Sacrament teaches man to step out of himself to serve his brother and seek the good of the community before personal interest."

Patriarch Al-Rahi considered that "what Lebanon and the region are experiencing of wars, disturbances, and fears for the future imposes a return to the human and spiritual values that preserve societies and safeguard their stability."

He pointed out that "the Christian is called to be a maker of hope, not a spreader of despair, because Christ, present in the Sacrament, remains a source of strength and steadfastness amidst crises, and grants believers the ability to face difficulties with a spirit of trust and faith."

He added: "The mystery of the Eucharist teaches believers the meaning of true unity, because all gather around one table and share in the one bread, making this mystery a school for coexistence and national solidarity."

He paused at the current national reality, calling for "prayer for Lebanon and for peace in the region, in light of the wars, aggressions, and human suffering it is witnessing." He affirmed that "the Church raises its prayers on this occasion so that stability may return to Lebanon and the East, and so that man may live with dignity and security in his land, far from violence, fear, displacement, and uncertainty."

He also stressed that "Christian hope is not based on fluctuating political or economic circumstances, but on the presence of God in the life of His people, a presence that is particularly manifested in the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament, which remains a sign of hope for a people looking forward to a more peaceful and stable future."

He concluded: "Lebanon is called today to restore its mission based on coexistence, human dignity, and openness, and that emerging from successive crises can only be achieved by prioritizing the supreme national interest over factional and personal interests, and working in a spirit of responsibility and solidarity for the good of all Lebanese."

At the conclusion of the Mass, the Principal of the Sahil Alma School of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family, Sister Dalida Al-Houeik, delivered a speech in which she thanked Patriarch Al-Rahi for accepting the invitation and presiding over the Divine Liturgy, affirming that "his paternal presence among the people of the region constitutes a sign of hope and encouragement to adhere to faith and the values of love and giving."