In it Regina Caeli of Eastern Easter Francis prayed that the Lord help Russia and Ukraine to achieve peace. He turned his thoughts to John Paul II, who these days is “the object of offensive and unfounded inferences.” “The Risen One is not found in some spectacular manifestation, but in the community.”
Vatican City () – “In stark contrast to the Easter message, wars continue to sow death in a terrifying way.” This is what Pope Francis said this morning, addressing the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square at the end of the prayer of the Regina Caeli.
Reminding his brothers and sisters in the East who are celebrating Easter today, the pontiff wished them that “the Risen Lord be with you and fill you with his Holy Spirit.” But Easter joy is deeply marked by the numerous and dramatic news of horrendous massacres that have taken place in recent days. “That the world no longer has to experience consternation at the hands of man, but stupor at the life that He gives and renews with his grace,” the pontiff asked. In particular, Francis directed his thoughts to Russia and Ukraine, which celebrate this Easter still at war: “May the Lord be with you and help make peace.” But he also recalled the news that arrived a few hours ago from Africa: “I am close to the Sudanese people, already so punished – he said – that they lay down their arms and dialogue prevail.”
On this Sunday, which by Wojtyla’s will is dedicated to Divine Mercy, Francis also wanted to publicly express his gratitude “to the memory of Saint John Paul II”, which these days is “the object of offensive and unfounded inferences”. He is referring to some television statements by the brother of Emanuela Orlandi, the young Vatican who disappeared without a trace in the 1980s, which had enormous repercussions in Italy and personally questioned the Polish pontiff.
In his meditation before the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis stopped at the meeting of Thomas with the risen Jesus that today’s liturgy proposes. “Thomas – observed the pontiff – is not the only one who finds it hard to believe, in fact he represents a bit of all of us. In fact, it is not always easy to believe, especially when, as in his case, there has been a great disappointment”.
Thomas – the Pontiff then observed – was the most courageous among the disciples, because he had dared to go outside, without being locked up in the Cenacle. But it was precisely this that led him not to be present at the first meeting with the Risen One. “He loses the opportunity” and he will only be able to recover it “by going back to the others, going back there, to that family that he left scared and sad.” To believe, Tomás wants an extraordinary sign: to touch the wounds. Jesus shows them to them, but in an ordinary way, presenting himself in front of everyone, in the community, not outside. As if to say to him: if you want to find me, don’t look far, stay in the community, with the others; don’t go far away, pray with them, break bread with them”.
This is the invitation that Francis also addressed to the faithful: “We,” he asked, “where do we look for the Risen One? In some special event, in some spectacular or striking religious manifestation, only in our emotions and feelings? Or in the community , in the Church, accepting the challenge of remaining in it, even if it is not perfect? Despite all its limitations and its falls, which are our limitations and our falls, our Mother Church is the Body of Christ; and it is there, in the Body of Christ, where the greatest signs of his love are imprinted, still and forever”.
“But let us ask ourselves – he added – if, in the name of this love, in the name of the wounds of Jesus, we are willing to open our arms to those wounded by life, without excluding anyone from God’s mercy, but welcoming everyone; to each one as a brother, as a sister, as God welcomes everyone. May Mary, Mother of mercy, help us to love the Church and make her a welcoming home for all”.
