Pope: May the Lord give us the courage of women, who help in the pandemic and sometimes are victims of violence
Women were the first to meet the Risen Jesus and bring to the apostles the announcement that carries hope even today. During this epidemic, many women care for others: “women doctors, nurses, law enforcement and prison officers, employees of stores selling basic necessities”. Some of them “are at risk of violence, in a relationship in which they carry too great a burden.”
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis focused his Regina Caeli address on women. Women were the first to meet the Risen Jesus and bring to the Apostles the announcement that even today carries hope. In the current situation of anguish many make an essential contribution, including in families where they are sometimes the victims of violence.
Before the Marian prayer, which replaces the Angelus from Easter to Pentecost, Francis stressed that "today, Easter Monday, the joyful announcement of the resurrection of Christ resounds", bringing with it the certainty that death shall not prevail as well as encouragement for this period marked by the pandemic.
The pontiff, who spoke from the Library of the Apostolic Palace, focused his address on the Gospel of the day (cf Mt 28:8-15), about “the women who, frightened, quickly left Jesus’ tomb, which they had found empty; [only for] Jesus to appear to them on the way saying: ‘Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me’ (Mt 28:10). With these words, the Risen Lord entrusted women with a missionary mandate towards the Apostles.
“In fact, they showed an admirable example of loyalty, dedication and love for Christ during his public life as well as his passion; now he rewarded them with this show of attention and predilection. Women [were] always [there] at the beginning. Mary [was there] at the beginning. Women first, then the disciples, in particular Peter, noted the reality of the resurrection.”
“Jesus had repeatedly announced to them that after the Passion and the Cross, he would rise again, but the disciples did not understand, because they were not ready. Their faith was to make a qualitative leap, which only the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Risen One, could spark.”
“At the beginning of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, Peter says: ‘God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses’ (Acts 2:32). [. . .] From that moment, the announcement that Christ is risen spread everywhere reaching every corner of the earth, becoming the message of hope for everyone. The resurrection of Jesus tells us that the last word does not belong to death, but to life.
“By raising his one-begotten Son, God the Father fully showed his love and mercy for humanity, in all times. If Christ is risen, it is possible to look with confidence at every event of our existence, even those that are most difficult, full of anguish and uncertainty. This is the Easter message that we are called to proclaim, with words and above all with the testimony of life. May this happy news resound in our homes and hearts: ‘Christ, my hope, is risen!’. May this certainty strengthen the faith of every baptised person and, above all, encourage those who are facing greater suffering and difficulty.”
Francis also spoke about women and their role, even in today’s difficult times, after the Marian prayer. “We heard that women brought to the disciples the announcement of the Resurrection of Jesus,” the pontiff said. “Today I would like to remind you of what many women do, even at this time of medical emergency, in caring for others: women doctor, nurses, law enforcement and prison officers, employees in stores selling basic necessities ... as well as the many mothers, sisters, grandmothers who find themselves locked down at home with the whole family, with children, seniors and the disabled. Sometimes they are at risk of violence, in a relationship in which they carry too great a burden. Let us pray for them, that the Lord may give them strength and that our communities may support them together with their families. [. . .] May the Lord give us the courage of women to go forward always.”
The pontiff went on to “mention with great affection all the countries affected by the coronavirus, sometimes with great numbers [of fatalities]: Italy, the United States, France, Spain and many more.” He also said: “I renew wholeheartedly my Easter greeting. Let us remain united in prayer and in the commitment to help each other as brothers and sisters.”
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31/05/2020 14:53
