Pope urges Christians to spread Easter joy in every human situation

April 21, 2014 - Pope Francis on Easter Monday wished that the joyful wonder of the risen Lord be imprinted in our hearts and shine through every aspect of our life, pervading every human situation. Speaking to a large holiday crowd in St. Peter’s Square in Rome during the midday ‘Regina Coeli’ prayer, the Pope commented on the day’s Gospel of the women encountering Jesus on their way to spread the good news of His resurrection. Easter Monday, a holiday in Italy as ‘Pasquetta’ or ‘Little Easter’, is also called Monday of the Angel, after the Gospel episode of the angel in the empty tomb of Jesus.

“Let’s allow the joyful wonder of Easter Sunday radiate in our thoughts, looks, attitudes, gestures and words ...” the Pope said speaking from his apartment window overlooking the square. “This is not a makeover,” he said, “as it comes from a heart immersed in the source of this joy, like that of Mary Magdalene who wept for the loss of her Lord, and could not believe her eyes when she saw Him risen. One who has experienced this becomes a witness of the Resurrection, because in a certain sense that person himself or herself has risen. Hence the person is able to bring a ray of the light of the Risen one to the various human situations, making the happy situations more beautiful, by preserving them from selfishness, and by bringing serenity and hope in painful circumstances.

In this regard, the Holy Father offered the example of Jesus’ mother, who after experiencing extreme pain, experienced such intimate and profound joy that the disciples imbibed it from her. Hence the heart of Mary became a fount of peace, consolation, hope and mercy. She died and rose with her son, Jesus. From Friday to Sunday morning, she did not lose hope. She is the Mother of all the disciples as well as of the Church, because she is the sorrowful Mother as well as Mother full of hope. After reciting the Eastertide ‘Regina Coeli’ prayer with the crowd and imparting his blessing Pope Francis particularly urged Christians to frequently read small passages from the Gospel on the Resurrection during this Easter week, saying it will do a lot of good.