“Being assured that the Lord, Who has entrusted His task to us, will continue to trust in us!”

(Based on Acts 4:13-21 and Mk 16:9-15 – Saturday of the Easter Octave)

There are moments when a man’s secret tells his whole story.

One such secret lay, not on a golden throne, not in papal documents…
… but in a small, time-worn crucifix…
… tucked quietly inside the cassock of a man who had just been made Pope.

Years ago, as a young priest in Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio visited the deathbed of an old confessor…
… a priest who had spent countless hours listening, forgiving, and healing broken souls.

There, beside that humble man, Fr. Jorge felt something stir.

And as he left, he looked at the crucifix the dying priest used to hold during every confession.

He paused…
… looked around
… and quietly, he took it!

Years later, as Pope Francis, he admitted:
“I stole it…!

But it’s the crucifix of a great forgiver.

I carry it with me always.

When a bad thought comes, or when I feel troubled…
… I reach into my pocket and touch that cross. >> It reminds me of God’s mercy.
It gives me courage!”

He didn’t steal gold.
He didn’t steal power.

He ‘stole mercy.’
And mercy became the mission for life for Pope Francis!

Today, as the world mourns and bells toll over Rome, we remember ‘the Pope of Mercy,’ who led…
… not with perfection, but with presence
… not with certainties, but with compassion

He didn’t hide his wounds…
… he let Christ shine through them; thus giving heed to Christ’s mandate of proclamation!

The Gospel of the Day recounts the mandate given to the Apostles by Jesus, the Master, to spread His Gospel to the entire nations:
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15)

We are on the Saturday of the Easter Octave.

Over the last few days, we have meditated on the various Resurrection accounts from the various Gospel narratives.

The encounter of the women, on the way back from the tomb (Mt 28: 8-15)
The encounter by Mary of Magdalene, calling her by name (Jn 20: 11-18)
The encounter of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, with the Risen Lord, at the breaking of bread (Lk 24: 13-35)
The encounter of the Apostles with the Risen Lord in the closed room (Lk 24: 35-48)
The encounter of the Apostles with the Risen Lord by the Sea of Tiberias (Jn 21: 1-14)

Today, in the Gospel of St Mark, we have a sort of summary of the many Resurrection narratives, closing with the mission mandate of the Lord…
… to “go into all the world” and reach out the saving Word of the Lord.

In all these various Resurrection narratives that are mentioned in today’s Gospel…
… one common element is seen: A mention of unbelief or uncertainty of the disciples.

When Mary Magdalene saw the Lord and reported this to the disciples…
… “but when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it” (Mk 16:11)

When the two disciples on the way to Emmaus spoke of the Risen Lord’s appearance to them, “they did not believe them” either (Mk 16: 13)
… but later the Lord appeared to the disciples themselves and “rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed…” (Mk 16: 14, NABRE)

The disciples found it hard to accept and believe in the Resurrection of the Lord.

They had been rebuked often by the Lord, during His earthly ministry.
Now they are again chided for their lack of faith, even after His Resurrection.

Despite this less intensity in their belief, the Risen Lord entrusts them with His mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom.

Despite this little strength in their faith, the Risen Lord, hands over to them His task of preaching the Word of God to all the nations.

That’s the trust of the Lord in His disciples.

It’s His conviction that “I will be with them
… and above all, I trust them!”

Like the disciples, we too may and will have our moments of…
… variations in faith
… slackening in trust
… and slipping in hope

In all this, let us be assured that the Lord, Who has entrusted His task to us, will continue to trust in us, and assures His presence with us.

We are weak…
We are fragile…
The Lord knows these aspects in us, much better than we ourselves.

He knew all this, even of the Apostles.

Yet, He wholly trusted them.

And He wholly trusts us too!

The disciples would grow in the strength of this trust and would become courageous and powerful…
… to give witness to the Risen Lord – even when put through trials and tribulations.

After all, “the Gospel was never meant to be whispered in safe rooms – it was born to be shouted in wounded streets!”

This bold witness even surprised many people, including the religious leaders:
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus!” (Acts 4:13)

Their conviction made them to profess the Lord in all what they did:
“But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge…
… for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard!’” (Acts 4:19-20)

We live in the midst of a modern generation screaming with ‘apparent and peripheral solutions!’

Let us be Christians….
… who don’t stammer for answers; instead, strongly shout out God’s Love!

Today, we lay to rest Pope Francis – a shepherd whose heart burned with the fire of mercy.

He showed us that holiness is not about standing tall – but about kneeling low.
He reminded us that even a trembling voice can thunder with the Gospel when spoken in love.

And now, as he returns to His Faithful Master, let us carry forward the crucifix he held close to his heart…
… not just the one in his pocket,
… but the One nailed to our hearts – the Risen Christ, who still believes in us.

Don’t wait to be flawless.

Just be faithful.

Don’t wait to feel ready.

Just say “Here I am.”

Because the same Jesus who trusted Peter and the other apostles…
… who trusted Jorge Mario Bergoglio – Pope Francis…
… trusts you!

Rest in Peace, our Holy Father Pope Francis!

Grazie, Papa Francesco!

Blessed Easter to all of you!

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

Civil authority should consider it a grave duty “to acknowledge the true nature of marriage and the family…

… to protect and foster them, to safeguard public morality, and promote domestic prosperity.” (CCC # 2210)

“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)

“Allowing the Risen Jesus to rekindle our hearts, and set us running – with joy – to proclaim His saving love!

(Based on Acts 3:1-10 and Lk 24:13-35 – Wednesday in the Octave of Easter)

In the vibrant summer of 2013, millions of young hearts from around the globe…
… gathered on the shores of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for World Youth Day.

The energy was electric.
The songs, the flags, the languages – all so different – yet all beating to the same rhythm of hope.

And in the centre of it all stood a newly elected shepherd of the Church
…. Pope Francis
… standing before the crowd of over three million, lifted his voice and thundered across generations:
Go, do not be afraid, and serve!”

Those words weren’t just a theme.

They were a summons.
A wake-up call.
A resurrection cry to a sleeping world.

One of the many hearts pierced that day was a young Italian actress named Beatrice Fazi.

She had left the Church years earlier, disillusioned, disappointed, and drifting.

She came to Rio curious, but carrying the weight of years spent walking away from God.

But that night… something happened.

In the Vigil under the stars, as Pope Francis spoke of Christ walking beside the young…
… calling them to live for others
… she wept.

And later, in an interview with Vatican News, she said:
“I came here lost, just walking through life.
But I leave here running – because I met Him again.”

(Source: Vatican News, World Youth Day 2013 Coverage)

Beatrice came to Rio ‘like the disciples to Emmaus’…
… wounded, wandering, weary.

But in the presence of the Risen Lord – through His Word, His Church, and His Vicar
… her feet caught fire.

And that, dear brothers and sisters, is the invitation before us today: Will we just keep walking through life… tired, disappointed, half-believing?

Or can we allow the Risen Jesus to rekindle our hearts, and set us running – with joy – to proclaim His saving love?

The Gospel of the Day presents two disciples who “walk away from home” in disinterest and dejection
… but later “who run towards home” with enthusiasm and passion!

The walk away…
… was a dull tale of being filled with disappointment and confusion
The walk towards…
… is an exciting story of being filled with immense joy and happiness

The encounter of Jesus to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus is one of the classic Resurrection encounters.

This incident appears only in the Gospel of St Luke.

The unnamed disciples have been shaken up very badly over the incidents over the last week in Jerusalem.

Like the Apostles, these disciples also would have been severely affected

Their Master, Jesus, in whom they had trusted, and they had followed, underwent a shameful death – that of a criminal.

It was humiliating…
… to be called as followers of a Criminal
It was abasing…
… to be called to as followers of a Blasphemer

Added to that, the accounts of some women who had seen the Empty Tomb of the Lord, added to greater confusion.

Life seemed to be dealing harshly with them

Gloom had descended into their hearts
Grim had taken over their lives.

And so they “walked” disappointed and dejected
… away from “home” – Jerusalem – to a village named Emmaus.

But this “walk” in sadness and gloom, was soon to become a life-transforming event!

Moments of hardships often become moments to encounter the deep love of the Lord!

Situations of dejections often become situations to experience the immense mercy of God!

Jesus met them, explained the Scriptures to them and finally in the house, broke the bread
… “and their eyes were opened!” (Lk 24:30-31)

Their gloom was taken away
Their mourning was converted
Their sadness was chased away

This experience “had to be shared”
… This experience “had to be recounted”

And so these disciples, who had “encountered” the Lord
… now “ran!”

The walk away…
… was a dull tale of being filled with disappointment and confusion

The walk towards…
… is an exciting story of being filled with immense joy and happiness

How is our life?

Are we merely “walking” through activities and works in life, in dissipation
… or are we “running” through our duties and responsibilities filled with joy and hope?

Are we merely “walking” passively in our spiritual life and our Christian witnessing…
… or are we “running” boldly and enthusiastically, overflowing with happiness and love?

The Lord walks with us…
… on our every journey, in our every activity

But seldom do we see Him
… seldom do we “feel” His presence!

Those disciples realised this “feeling” of the Lord being with them at the Breaking of the Bread…

There lies the key
… there lies the open secret

The realization of the Presence of the Lord is guaranteed and facilitated by a meaningful participation in the Lord’s Body and Blood – at the Holy Eucharist!

The Lord in the Holy Eucharist, calls and invites us – to experience Him, to encounter Him…
… to be transformed by Him!

May the Lord help us to overcome our “lethargic and uninterested walking” in spiritual life…
… and allow the Risen Jesus to rekindle our hearts, and set us running – with joy – to proclaim His saving love!

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

The family must be helped and defended by appropriate social measures.
Where families cannot fulfill their responsibilities…

… other social bodies have the duty of helping them and of supporting the institution of the family. (CCC # 2209)

“Being steadfast to the Lord, despite our tears and pains… and experiencing the caring and intimate Love of the One Who is ‘always with us!’”

(Based on Acts 2:36-41 and Jn 20:11-18 – Tuesday in the Octave of Easter)

One of the very beautiful verses in the Bible, not too known though… is from the book of the Psalms..

Psalm 56: 8, “O Lord.. You have stored my tears in a bottle”

Another translation would read, “… You have collected my tears in a wineskin”

This verse speaks volumes of a God who is so intimately related with a person and expresses a very personal and close association.

God is a God who…
… is specially close to His people in their moments of pain and suffering
… is particularly near to His people in their times of affliction and tribulations.

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful witness to this loving concern and tender affection of God…
… expressed by Jesus to Mary Magdalene.

We are still near the tomb of the Lord.

Mary Magdalene, the soul who loved the Lord so deeply, is still lingering around the tomb of the Lord.

She had experienced Divine Love in a great manner.

Her heart could not fully accept that the Lord who had transformed her life was no more
Her mind could take in the fact that the One whom she loved so deeply had gone away.

And so she kept waiting.

True love always seeks…

True love always seeks to break boundaries, do away with hurdles and cast away any barriers

Finally, when she did encounter Him, her eyes were kept away from recognizing the Lord.

But the Lord did recognize her…
… not just her physical pains.. rather also her mental agony and her spiritual longing!

And so He asks her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (Jn 20:13)

Mary had been incessantly weeping over the loss of her Beloved

Mary had been continuously shedding tears for the Lover of her soul.

However… these tears were not in vain….
… these tears were not lost in futility..

Rather, the Lord was storing them up carefully in a vial… in a bottle… in a wineskin

“O Lord.. You have stored my tears in a bottle” (Ps 56:8)

And these tears of affection, love and fondness was rewarded by the Lord, by calling her by name, “Mary!” (Jn 20:16)

The sweetness of that voice, calling out her name, wiped away every tear!

Her tears were turned to smiles…
… her mourning to comfort
… her brokenness to immense joy!

Today, we are reminded the same…

We may be shedding many tears before the Lord…

It could be due to many reasons…
… maybe some personal crisis in life
… maybe some brokenness in the family
… maybe some tragedy or calamity to our closed ones

All these may cause us to have tears…
… either externally or within the depth of our hearts

Some tears may be seen by others…
… most others, will go unnoticed, invisible

Yet, the One who loves us the most – the Lord – is storing up all our tears in His presence

Each of our tears is precious to the Lord…

Just like Mary Magdalene, who continued to be faithful and longing for the Lord…
… let us also be steadfast to our God, despite our tears and pains and sadness.

This faithfulness to Him will surely win the reward for us…
… the reward of our names being called out by the Lord!

Happy Easter to all of you!

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

There are many families who are at times incapable of providing this help.
It devolves then on other persons, other families, and, in a subsidiary way, society to provide for their needs:

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (CCC # 2208)

“Having the last laugh with Jesus, our Risen Saviour and Lord!”

(Based on Acts 2:14, 22-33 and Mt 28:8-15 – Monday in the Octave of Easter)

There’s a story of a little girl whose grandfather had passed away.

She stood beside his grave after the burial, quietly staring at the Cross.

The adults were weeping, but this child suddenly smiled and whispered to her mother, “Mamma.. Mamma… Grandpa is playing hide and seek with Jesus, right?”

And with a bigger grin, she said, “Wait and see… He’ll find him soon!”

The adults were stunned.

What seemed like a naïve comment carried a profound truth: Death is not the end.

For those who belong to Christ, it’s just a waiting game – until Resurrection comes calling.

The child had captured the essence of Easter.

The world might see the tomb as the end…
… but we know, it’s where the Risen Lord begins His greatest surprise!

Well… the three hours of the agonizing Death of Christ on the Cross, was seen as a sign of victory by Satan

The Kingdom of darkness had been conquered…
… so it was felt!
The world of misery had overcome all goodness…
… so it was felt!

But it was God who had the last laugh!

Jesus rose from the dead, and Life and Salvation became the last words.

God indeed made a fool out of satan!

The Resurrection – Jesus’ rising from the dead – was the most spectacular joke that God had pulled on Satan.

It was a reminder that whatever happens in life…
… when one has entrusted everything to the Lord, then ultimately: God Saves!

During His life, the Lord encountered many occasions, when He was subject to being in humiliating, mocking and testing situations

At the desert, Satan had sought to make Jesus a fool, by tempting and luring Him through many temptations. (Mt 4: 1-10)
In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lord once again faced a trying time in battling to embrace God’s Will totally and completely (Lk 22: 41-44)
On the Cross, the soldiers and others who persecuted the Lord, mocked and challenged Him to come down from the Cross (Mk 15: 29-32)

At every stage of His Life, our Blessed Lord was put into situations of being the “butt of jokes” and the “laughingstock”…
… and a target for many a trial, tribulations and mockeries.

The Crucifixion was meant to be the greatest of all such “agonizing” mockeries!

But…
… Divine Wisdom always finds a way out to triumph!
… Divine Providence always regains the way to victory!

This is the message of the Resurrection.

The Gospel of the Day is the account of the encounter of Jesus with the women, who had come to the tomb of the Lord.

The women who saw the empty tomb and encountered the Lord, were filled with a holy fear, a tremendous joy and a deep devotion (Mt 28:8-9)

Divine Wisdom always, has the final laugh in every trial and tribulation!

Are we ready to share in the happiness of this “joyful” act of the Lord?

Life may bite us sharply with ensnaring temptations and evil tendencies…

Life may make a fool of us with mounting tensions and troubles…
Life may put us down badly with uncertainties and doubts…

We may often, find ourselves mocked.
We may often, find ourselves ridiculed.

But in all such situations, let us dare to look to our Crucified Lord…
… who Himself underwent painful mocking and unfair scorning…
Yet, had the final laugh, through the Resurrection from the dead!

The Resurrection gives us…
… every reason to rejoice, even in the midst of deadly trials…
… every cause to be joyful, even in the midst of heavy tribulations…

May the Risen Lord be the reason for us to rejoice and be joyful, thanking Him for the greatest joke ever – the crushing of Satan by the power of the Holy Cross!

Let us entrust all our works and deeds to the Safe Hands of Jesus…
… because “God always saves!”

As Christians, we can indeed rejoice and say, that “on Easter Day, Christ truly made a fool of sin and death!”

And we are reminded: “Life may often make you a fool!

But never be discouraged; with Jesus, we will always have the last laugh!”

Happy Easter to all of you!

“Let HALLELUJAH be the joyful song that we radiate in all our thoughts, words and deeds!”

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

The family should live in such a way that its members learn to care…

… and take responsibility for the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped, and the poor. (CCC # 2208)