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.