Jesus Christ loves you
Feast of Transfiguration | Catholic Education Week 2025
My dear students I want to say something to you today which is most important. Indeed, it is something you can hold onto right through life. It is a fundamental truth that you can base your whole life upon.
To give you this message I am going to use the words of Pope Francis.
This is what he said (EG 164):
- Jesus Christ loves you;
- he gave his life to save you;
- and now he is living at your side every day.
Let me say it again
- Jesus Christ loves you;
- he gave his life to save you;
- and now he is living at your side every day.
This week is my final week as serving as the Archbishop of Hobart. Next week Archbishop Tony Ireland will begin his ministry to the Church in Tasmania.
These words of Pope Francis are my parting words to you.
- Jesus Christ loves you.
God created the universe. Look around, it is wonderful, it is beautiful. The high point of his creation was human beings. Each of us possesses a soul individually crafted by God himself. We are unique and precious in the eyes of God.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born among us. He came to reveal this love of God for us. We see how Jesus deeply cared for people, especially those who were suffering. He showed compassion, kindness and mercy. He showed us the depths of the love of God for each person. In the heart of Jesus is an extraordinary love which is beyond our imagining.
Jesus Christ loves you. Do you believe this? Do you believe this?
- Jesus gave his life to save you.
The second thing that Pope Francis said was the Jesus gave up his very life to save you. This happened by his death on the cross. Have you seen the replica of the shroud? This is the burial cloth of Jesus. When we look at the shroud we can see how much Jesus suffered. There were terrible wounds all over his body. The wounds of the scourging, the crown of thorns, the nails. Jesus endured this for us. He offered his life as a sacrifice to his Father on our behalf, on account of our sins.
From the cross he cried out: “Father, forgive them”. Jesus made an offering of himself to this Father that we might be forgiven of our sins. His death opened up heaven for us.
Jesus died on the cross that you may have eternal life. Do you believe this? Do you believe this?
- Jesus is living by your side every day.
The story does not end with his death on the cross. Jesus rose out of the grave. This Feast of the Transfiguration reveals what the resurrection would be like. Jesus become dazzling white. This is a picture of not only what the Resurrection of Jesus would be like, but also what our resurrection will be like.
At his Resurrection the burial cloths remained a sign that this was where he was laid, but he was no longer there. He appeared to his disciples. He walked along with two of them on the road to Emmaus. He said, “I am with you always”.
Jesus is risen. He is alive. He is with us always as we walk through life. He is by our side whether we recognise him or not.
The risen Lord wants to accompany us, to guide us, to console us and encourage us. Do you believe this? Do you believe this?
My dear students, I am celebrating this Mass with you today for the last time as Archbishop.
I offer you these words of Pope Francis as my own parting message to you:
- Jesus Christ loves you;
- he gave his life to save you;
- and now he is living at your side every day.
Invite Jesus into your heart and into your life. He wants to be with you. He wants you to know his love. He wants you to know how much he was prepared to suffer that you might have eternal life. He wants to part of your life.
Invite Jesus into your heart; invite Jesus into your life.
Archbishop Julian Porteous
Monday, 4 August 2025