Pope Francis: The Risen Christ brings us peace, joy and mission'
Source: Vatican Media
In his address to pilgrims in St Peter's Square, after the Regina Coeli Prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis reflected on the day's Gospel in which Jesus appeared to his disciples in the Upper Room, bringing three gifts: peace, joy and apostolic mission,
"The Risen One brings authentic peace, because through his sacrifice on the cross he has achieved reconciliation between God and humanity and has overcome sin and death," the Pope said.
He recalled how the apostle Thomas, who had not witnessed first-hand the extraordinary event of the Lord's appearance in the Upper Room, needed Jesus to come forward to dispel his disbelief, inviting him to touch his wounds.
"Those wounds represent the source of peace, because they are the sign of the immense love of Jesus who defeated the forces that are hostile to man: sin, evil and death," he said.
The second gift that the risen Jesus brings to his disciples, Pope Francis said, is joy. The evangelist tells us that "the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord".
And reiterating that the Easter season is a time of joy, the Pope said "Jesus' resurrection is the greatest reason for our joy" as he has destroyed the obstacles and negative forces of the world which prevent us from being truly joyful.
In addition to peace and joy, Pope Francis continued, Jesus also brings mission to his disciples. He says to them "As the Father has sent me, I send you" putting into motion a new dynamism of love which, the Pope said, is capable of transforming the world with the power of the Holy Spirit. This love, he said, is spread through the Apostles and their successors, but also through all the faithful.
The Risen Jesus, Francis explained, entrusts every Christian with the task of announcing the wonderful event of his Resurrection.
"Every baptized person is called to transmit the divine gifts of peace and joy, thus continuing Jesus' saving mission in the world, each according to his or her own vocation".
On this second Sunday of Easter, he concluded, we are invited to approach Christ with faith, opening our hearts to peace, joy and mission, which is the proclamation of divine mercy, the joyful witness of his transforming and redeeming love.
After his reflection, Pope Francis asked the faithful to join him in praying for the victims of floods in South Africa. "May these brothers and sisters of ours not lack our solidarity as well as the concrete support of the international community" he said.
Seventy people reportedly died in floods that ravaged parts of the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa's southeast. The flooding began on Monday after heavy rain caused mudslides in several towns in Durban, the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal.
Authorities warned that there could be more rains in the coming days. Makeshift shelters and food are being provided for those displaced from their homes in the aftermath of the flooding. State-owned broadcaster SABC puts the number of those displaced at over 1000.
Pope Francis also expressed concern for the predicament of migrants and refugees held in detention centres in Libya. The Pope said the situation of the refugees, "which is already very serious, has become even more dangerous due to the ongoing conflict."
He appealed for the evacuation, especially of the women, the children and the sick, as soon as possible, through humanitarian corridors.