Love is a word that we always hear. Every time we hear the word love our eyes lit up and somehow our heart beats just a little bit faster. However, the word love is one of the most misunderstood and one of the most abused words, in my opinion.
The commissioning of Peter and the disciples by the Risen Christ resembles the first commissioning by Jesus when he began his ministry by the Sea of Galilee.
Pope Francis's final words spoken in public were to give the Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing, to the City and the World, from the loggia of St Peter’s Basilica.
He then passed on the text of his Easter Message to be read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, and the Pope’s words rang out proclaiming: “Christ is risen”.
Happy Easter to all! As we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in this Easter season, I pray that the joy of the empty tomb becomes a reality in your daily life, and through you, to the life of all you meet.
Our Easter Octave was tinged with deep sadness at the death of Pope Francis, but his death also gave us the opportunity to once again focus on the joy of the resurrection which follows a life lived in the joy of the Gospel.
This Sunday, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, a day that reminds us of the incredible love and forgiveness of God.
To borrow a story from my friend, Fr Bel San Luis, there was a man who was visiting a seminary. He saw a poster with a phrase in big letters, “Christ is the answer”. Puzzled he wrote at the bottom of the poster, “What is the question?”
In this Sunday's Palm Sunday Liturgy, the people and priests process into church carrying blessed palm branches and singing blissful songs in praise of the Lord who saves us from the bondages of our sins.
In the gospel readings of this Sunday and last, Jesus keeps repeating as if begging us to remain in him as he remains in his Father.
As we celebrate the joyous occasion of Easter, I extend my heartfelt greetings to each one of you, said SVD Superior-General Fr Budi Kleden SVD.
The Resurrection of the Lord is the cornerstone of our faith and resonates with the profound message of God's boundless love and the promise of new life.
Happy Easter to you! In this Easter season we continue to celebrate the Good News that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead – Alleluia!
As missionaries it is this good news of Jesus’ love for us and his victory over death and sin that we seek to share and it is news that is sorely needed in our wounded world.