Scripture Readings
— Acts 3:11-26
— Psalm 8
— Luke 24:36b-48
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.
During Cardinal Stephen Brislin’s interview on the SABC news, regarding the death of Pope Francis, he said that, after hearing the news, he felt sad, but he also felt a sense of serenity and peace, knowing that the Holy Father lived his whole life for that moment.
If we are to die, can the same be said about us?
Here we are in the Easter Octave: what a wonderful time to reflect on our journey with the Risen Lord. We started our Lenten journey by hearing the words, Turn away from sin and believe the Good News, and also, Dust you are and to dust you shall return. We journeyed with Jesus the 40 days, doing introspection of our prayer lives, how we fast or abstain from the everyday pleasures and how we give and share with others. We entered with Him into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, going through all the motions of Holy Week. Commemorating the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the washing of the feet. Meeting Jesus on the cross, on Good Friday, and then — out of all that darkness — coming to celebrate his glorious resurrection as we met at the great fire on Sunday morning and are still here under the light of the Paschal candle.
Through all this, how have we moved closer to God?
Yes, through our journey here on earth, we do prepare for heaven, but this journey here and now can also be a part of heaven. Heaven on our way to heaven. So how do we live our lives? In what areas of our lives are we afraid to allow Jesus to give us his risen peace? In what areas of our lives are we afraid of touching him, allowing him to change, heal, restore and calm the storms that we face in our everyday lives?
The beauty of the Easter Message is the message of Hope.
So, if we still find ourselves far, distant, afraid, or we might not have observed Lent as it should have been observed, there is still Hope, Mercy, Forgiveness and Peace, if you want it.
Rush to the confessionals, for it is there — through our reconciliation with God — that we find ourselves purified, illuminated and united with God, that we experience his agape love and peace.
May we, like Pope Francis, live our lives everyday to the honour and glory of God.