Reflection
We celebrated the Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV, in St. Peter’s Square, this past Sunday. His opening statement to the world, echoes Jesus’ words in our Gospel today…
“Peace be with all of you. Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for God’s flock. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you!
It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally.
We can still hear the faint yet ever courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome, the Pope who blessed Rome, who gave his blessing to the world, the whole world, on the morning of Easter. Allow me to extend that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! All of us are in God’s hands. So, let us move forward, without fear, together, hand in hand with God and with one another other! We are followers of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as the bridge that can lead us to God and His love. Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace. Thank you, Pope Francis!” Pope Leo XIV in his opening words calls every follower of Jesus to bring peace into the world, to build bridges of peace that will lead to heaven.
The word Gospel means "Good News." What exactly is this Good News promised by the Gospel? Many today would say "material prosperity." How often we hear preachers proclaiming that following the Gospel guarantees material benefits, such as, good health, long life, success in work and wealth. But did the original disciples of Jesus actually preach this Gospel of Prosperity?
Listen to what the first disciples actually preached, "It is necessary for us to undergo hardship to enter the Kingdom of God." And we hear about Paul’s hardship in our first reading, "They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city supposing he was dead." St. Paul, along with other the apostles, would die a martyr's death for their faith in Jesus.
So then what really is the Good News of the Gospel? What does Jesus actually promise to His disciples? Jesus' final words to His disciples reveal His Good News, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you." Almost every time Jesus appears to His disciples after the Resurrection, He greets them with the words, "Peace be to you." Jesus keeps His promise; the disciples are filled with a peace that surpasses human understanding. This peace remains with them and fuels their fire to bring Christ to every corner of the world.
During these final weeks of the Easter Season, we celebrate the fulfillment of Jesus' promise. We celebrate the gift believers receive from the Resurrected Jesus — not material prosperity -- but His precious presence accompanied by the peace which the world can never give! And so, we exclaim, "Alleluia! Alleluia!"