On the 30th of March, Pope Francis called on the faithful to embrace hope and resurrection from the Lord’s resurrection in his message during the Easter vigil Mass.
C. Roubini Chinnapa9 CTC, Vatican News
In his homily at the Easter Vigil Mass held in St. Peter’s Basilica on March 30, 2024, Pope Francis exhorted the faithful to find solace in the resurrection of Jesus Christ amid the darkness and challenges of life. The Pope’s explanations drew parallels between the grieving women who arrived at Jesus’ tomb and the struggles that humans face today.
Sadness and hope
Pope Francis began his sermon by describing the condition of the women who came to the tomb of Jesus the next morning, saddened by the death of Jesus. The Pope described how their hearts, heavy with sorrow, faced the obstacle of the heavy stone of the sealed tomb. The Pope said that the stone is a symbol of the despair and temptations that many people experience when facing life’s trials and tribulations.
Modern struggles
Drawing parallels to contemporary challenges, Pope Francis highlighted the “tombstones” we face in everyday life – be it the loss of loved ones, personal failures, social injustices or global conflicts. The Pope pointed out how these can imprison these individuals in fear, grief and despair. “Who will roll away the stone from the tomb?” The Pope shared the issue of women and called on the believers to rely on the power of God.
The victory of Easter
Pope Francis pointed out that the rolled stone symbolizes the transformative power of Easter. The risen Christ proclaimed the victory of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair. The Pope explained that the resurrection of Jesus offers a way to renewed faith and joy, breaking through the barriers of hopelessness.
Accept the resurrection
Calling on the faithful to “look up” to Jesus, Pope Francis pointed out that Christ’s resurrection marks the beginning of a new chapter in human history. Through Christ individuals can overcome not only failures, sorrows but even death. The Pope encouraged the faithful to embrace the Risen Lord. The Pope asked us to dispel darkness, fill life with hope, and allow his transformative power.
An invitation to be happy
Pope Francis concluded his address by calling everyone to rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus. He called upon the faithful to leave sorrow and despair and embrace the new life that promises victory over Christ’s death. Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to join in proclaiming “He is alive, He is risen” and to go forth with a renewed flame in their hearts.
Pope Francis delivered a message of hope and renewal in his vigil, reminding the faithful of the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection. The theologian Carl Rauner’s words “His tomb is empty and the dead revealed as alive” and “This is the resurrection of the Lord. Brothers and sisters, it is a celebration of the living” J.Y. Quoting Quellec’s words, the Pope concluded by inviting everyone to embrace the joy of new life in Christ, the light of resurrection that dispels darkness, amid life’s challenges.
#Pope #Embrace #hope #resurrection #Lord #Vatican #News
2024-04-01 12:36:55
