I walked Rome for you! The sun was warm, the sky blue. Walking through the streets of Rome, I thought of you. "Together" we will walk the roads of Rome. I went to see the Palatine. I saw magnificent and beautiful walls perched on a hill. Almost like a great castle!
I closed my eyes and thought of the Roman Emperor and all his friends.
I thought of soldiers and horses, lances and swords.
I imagined the great feast of the Roman Emperor, and at his feet, at his gate, the poor who were hungry.
Near the Palatine, I saw the Circus Maximus. A long and great circus. Then I thought of the gladiators, the chariot races, the wrestlers, the men who cried out, the men who died, the blood that flowed.
I saw the Colosseum and the Forum: it is beautiful! It is grand! But it is empty!
There is no one left. There is no more celebration!
Then I left the city. I saw the paving stones of the great Roman roads. I saw the track marks of the chariot wheels...
Then I looked far... far... to the end of the road.... And I imagined Paul, Saint Paul, arriving in Rome. Paul tired from his journey, but full of courage, with such joy in his heart, driven by the Gospel.
And then I imagined Peter, Saint Peter, arriving in Rome. He too, wholly taken up with the Gospel.
They entered Rome: they found friends, they gathered in a house, and all together they made a celebration, just as Jesus had asked.
They spoke of the Good News: God loves Jesus, and Jesus is alive! God loves all people, and all people can live!
Then I imagined the Christians telling this to everyone. But many did not listen:
It bothers some people when someone says we must love one another... when someone says that the Savior is not the emperor!
Then I looked at the soil of Rome: I imagined the Christians seized, bound, mistreated, imprisoned, martyred...
I saw the Mamertine Prison, I thought of Saint Paul and Saint Peter in prison.
I thought of the blood of the Christians who died for speaking the Truth.
I visited the cemetery where Saint Peter was buried.
I saw the Catacombs where the martyrs were buried...
I thought of the first groups of Christians
They were born on the soil of the martyrs, they grew, larger... larger... so large that they had to build basilicas.
And I saw the Christian basilicas.
I saw Santa Sabina and Santa Maria Maggiore
Saint Paul and Saint Peter who opens his great arms and looks upon the world...
I walked Rome for you.
And I send you the fraternal greeting that Saint Peter sent to the Christians of the world:
Grace and peace to you in abundance
(1 Pet. 1:2)
Michel Charpentier