On Friday March 29, 2013, The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) celebrated the Veneration of the Cross in the John-Paul II Amphitheater, at USEK Main Campus, in the presence of the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Michel Sleiman and his wife, Mrs. Wafaa Sleiman.
The liturgy was presided over by Reverend Father Abbot Tannous Nehme, Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order (LMO), with the attendance of the Apostolic Nuncio Mgr. Gabriel Caccia. The Assistants General of the LMO, the University President, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, and a group of fathers, all assisted the Superior General in the Celebration.
In addition, the liturgy was attended by a number of current and former ministers and members of parliament, the Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, as well as many prominent political, military, religious, educational and social figures as well as members of the University Council and the faithful.
After reading the four Gospels, Rev. Fr. Abbot Tannous Nehme gave his exhortation that the image of the fear and sadness shown by Jesus Christ before his death are lived by every human being facing any kind of death or lack of life, such as diseases, poverty, harsh situation, natural calamities, the death of a beloved and close person, unrest and war. Despite these feelings, Jesus Christ prayed for God, the Lord Father asking him: “Remove this cup from me.” and then “… yet, not what I want, but what you want.”
The Superior General also considered that “The story of Jesus Christ in the Gethsemane, which is echoed in the teachings of Pope Francis, can be the good example and illustrates the current situation in Lebanon. In a time when wars are sweeping through the region, people are talking about hard times and about possible crises, we enter to Gethsemane, fearful in the beginning, we realize that the existential angst is not only limited to Lebanon, but it is present in every country wearing a different mask. In such circumstances, humans can get the internal power they need only from God…” because only God can show us the path towards peace, goodness, kindness and compassion; what we yearn for in our lives.
Then he spoke to the President of the Republic and said: “We are all relying on your wisdom and strength to face hardships. You are the son of the institution of honor, sacrifice and loyalty, which we thank and respect…Through you, Mr. President, I address all politicians of our beloved country, Lebanon, many of them are here attending this liturgy, asking God to give them the divine grace to be well-doers according to God’s desire.”
Fr. Abbot Nehme quoted from the Pope’s exhortation during the Palms’ Day when he said: “Never be unhappy men and women, for the Christians can never be unhappy! Do not surrender yourselves to frustration, because our happiness is not bound to the things we own, but it is bound to our meeting with Jesus who is always present among us… Here reside our happiness and hope that we should carry around in our world. So please, do not let yourselves lose this hope, that hope given to us by Jesus.”
He concluded: “If we reflect correctly on the stories of Gethsemane, the Passion, Death and Resurrection, and if we can embrace the words of the Pope, we will see the comforting image of Jesus Christ full of joy and serenity.”