As we mourn the loss of Pope Francis, we give thanks to God for the gift of his life and ministry, and for the countless ways he has inspired us to deepen our faith and live out our call to love and serve one another. We pray now for the repose of his soul, and that the Holy Spirit will guide and sustain the cardinals in their choice of a successor.
‘It is the Lord!’
Today’s joy-filled readings during this Easter season of resurrection speak of the meaning of discipleship, both in our personal relationship with Jesus and in our relationships with other people.
The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit (First Reading), continue to proclaim the teachings of Jesus. When confronted by the religious leaders, they insist on obeying God rather than any human authority.
The joy of the apostles is based on their faith that God will change our ‘mourning into dancing’, as the Psalm of praise and thanksgiving proclaims. Our merciful God will lift us from our troubles.
The Second Reading presents a vision of heavenly worship, with every creature in the universe praising Jesus as the risen Lamb that was slain: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!’
John recounts Jesus’s third post-Resurrection meeting with the disciples, who have returned to their old ways of fishing (Gospel). Jesus calls to them at dawn, guiding them to a miraculous catch, followed by a shared breakfast. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him, instructing him to care for his followers.
As we ponder these texts as Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, we pray for a spirit of justice and generosity in all situations of conflict, injustice and poverty in our world.
