Easter|Resurrection & Catholic Faith: A Message from Fr Steve Fletcher MGL

Divine Mercy Sunday, which occurs on the Second Sunday of Easter, was instituted by St. John Paul II. The risen Jesus pours out his merciful love in an unprecedented way on the world. His merciful love, so evident in his life and actions, especially in his passion and dying, breaks through death. The mercy of the risen Lord triumphs over injustice, unforgiveness, revenge, hatred, and rejection. ‘The steadfast love of God endures forever.’ (Ps 136:1). There is often an uneasy alliance between justice and mercy. However, Pope Francis in the Year of Mercy commented that justice is an indispensable step on the road to mercy. St. Thomas Aquinas noted that justice without mercy is cruelty, and mercy without justice is dissolution. They are intertwined. When the risen Jesus appears to the first disciples, he is full of compassion for them in their fear and failure. He is met with inexpressible joy and amazement, but also with doubt and apprehension. The resurrection is eruptive; as disturbing as it is wonderful and mysterious, with Jesus appearing and disappearing in different locations and settings. But always there is tenderness, compassion, and an invitation to be with him.

The world is profoundly changed by the risen Jesus. A worldview that sees death as the end and which casts a long shadow of fear and hopelessness has been transformed. The resurrection of Jesus is the victory of love over death. The instrument of execution—the cross of Jesus—has become the source of healing, reconciliation, and peace! The stone rolled away from the tomb, the empty tomb, and the appearances of the risen Jesus are the triumph of life and love. The merciful love of God endures all things, even death. The hope of the Christian is the resurrection of Jesus, our living hope. Easter, the resurrection, Catholic faith, MGL—may the Spirit of the risen Lord in this Year of Jubilee rekindle hope!

WALKING ALONGSIDE: JOURNEYING WITH JESUS

Lent is an opportunity to walk more closely with Jesus, following his footsteps along the road to Jerusalem, to the cross and to Emmaus.

We do this through prayer, fasting and almsgiving - praying more, giving up anything that stands between us and Jesus, and giving to others from the heart. In this way we become more Christ-like. St John Paul II summed it up perfectly:

“Lent is a time to put life back in its proper place and remember two things about ourselves: we came from God, and we are journeying back to Him through the Resurrection.”