“Bowing in gratitude and awe before the Mystery of the Risen Lord and trusting the One, Who holds everything together!”

(Based on Acts 3:11-26 and Lk 24:35-48 – Thursday of the Easter Octave)

March 13, 2013.
The whole world waited with bated breath.

The white smoke rose. “Habemus Papam!”

But what stunned the world was not just the name – Francis!

It was the moment Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio – Pope Francis – stepped out on that famed Sacred balcony…
… looked at the sea of people…
… and did something, no Pope had ever done before.

He bowed.

And he asked:
“Prima che il Vescovo benedice il popolo…
… vi chiedo, che voi pregate il Signore perché mi benedica.
Facciamo in silenzio questa preghiera di voi su di me.”

(Before the Bishop blesses the people…
… I ask you, to pray to the Lord to bless me

Let us silently say this prayer of yours over me)

The Vicar of Christ — the one who had the whole Church behind him —
… began his papacy by acknowledging the Mystery before him.

“Per favore… pregate per me.”
(“Please… pray for me.”)

Not power.
Not prestige.

But trembling humility.
Because Mystery doesn’t make us proud…
… it makes us bow.

He knew that the journey of leading the Church was not about control, but surrender.

It’s not about explaining everything…
… but trusting the One, Who holds everything together.

The disciples too stood before a Mystery – the Risen Lord…
… and like Pope Francis on that balcony
… they were not filled with answers, but with awe and fear.

But Jesus came not to explain, but to embrace.

Mystery isn’t meant to be mastered; it’s meant to be met.

Mysteries are indeed powerful and can be life-transforming!

The Gospel of the Day presents this powerful dimension of the Apostles…
… encountering the Mystery of the Resurrection, in the person of Jesus Christ, the Lord, risen from the dead!

The Resurrection Day of the Lord was perhaps the most baffling, confusing and puzzling day in the lives of the Apostles.

Just a few days back, they had witnessed the horrifying and painful death of their Beloved Master.

In their weakness, and fearing for their life, they had abandoned their Master.

Yet, heart of heart, these disciples would have been tremendously affected…
…at the loss of the One who had brought new hopes and expectations to their lives.

But now, the strange and surprising reports of the tomb being empty…
… and the Lord appearing to two on the way to Emmaus, have confused the poor disciples.

They were being told that the empty tomb wasn’t proof – it was a promise…
… a promise that fear doesn’t have the final word.

Yet, they remained baffled!

It’s in this state of fear, confusion that Jesus comes in their midst and appears to them.
“But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost” ( Lk 24: 37)

The disciples were face to face with a Mystery – the mystery of Jesus Christ, Resurrected.

And every mystery can cause two reactions…
… a fervent fear leading to veneration and devotion
… or a nauseating aversion leading to hatred and abhorrence.

The disciples were initially filled with a lot of fear and were startled deeply.

But as they slowly were in the presence of the Great Mystery…
… their hearts began to be filled with joy and holiness.

They began to realise that the Risen Lord doesn’t appear to perfect people…
… He appears to those who stay faithful, even with questions!

We are also witnesses to the Great Mystery of the Resurrection

What is our reaction?

Are we filled with fear and fail to live a life of true witnessing?
… or are we filled with the calm and serenity that the Risen Lord promises?

There is a need to make an honest examination of our lives…

The Mystery of the Risen Lord is about joy and happiness

Do I radiate this joy to others…
… or do others only come across angry faces, irritated behaviour and unpleasant conduct in me?

The Mystery of the Risen Lord is about trust and confidence

Do I display this faith and belief…
… especially when we face many problems and crisis in life, to stand firm in hope?

The Mystery of the Risen Lord is about call to a new way of life…

Am I courageous to embrace this new way of life in the Risen Lord…
… and be willing to do away with my sinful tendencies to fall away from God’s Presence?

The Risen Lord is in our midst, as He was with the Apostles…
… especially in His Most Holy Eucharist
… especially in His Holy Word of God.

Let us grow in love of the Mystery of the Risen Lord…
… and seek to live it, more fully and more meaningfully in our lives.

Let us bow in gratitude and awe before the Mystery of the Risen Lord…
… knowing that life is not about control, but surrender.

It’s not about explaining everything…
… but trusting the One, Who holds everything together!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

Following the principle of subsidiarity…

… larger communities should take care not to usurp the family’s prerogatives or interfere in its life. (CCC # 2209)