The month of April, as an early fruit of Easter, brought us the publication of the Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, on the call to holiness in today's world. With it, Pope Francis wants us to "the whole Church is dedicated to promoting the desire for holiness". The document is not intended to be a treatise on holiness, but its aim is to "to make the call to holiness resound once again, seeking to incarnate it in today's context, with its risks, challenges and opportunities....". The new Exhortation is in continuity with previous teachings, especially with the Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. If in the latter the Pope revealed what he wanted to be the inner thread of his pontificate, he now reveals the deeper orientation of his actions. Near the end of Evangelii gaudium, we read: "United with Jesus, we seek what he seeks, we love what he loves. Ultimately, what we seek is the glory of the Father." (n. 267). Now, in the conclusion of Gaudete et Exsultate, the same motive reappears: "Let us ask the Holy Spirit to instill in us an intense desire to be saints for the greater glory of God and let us encourage one another in this intent.o" (n. 177). When we notice this interior motivation in the Pope's gestures and words, it is easy to perceive, as a guiding thread of his teachings, the desire to make the call to holiness resound forcefully in the present moment, pointing out risks and opportunities.
Disciples of the Risen Lord
The Easter season helps us to rediscover our identity as disciples of the Risen Lord. The meditations prior to the recitation of the Regina Coeli and the liturgical preaching of recent weeks highlight the features of this identity. As on the morning of the first Sunday in history, we too must allow ourselves to be surprised by the proclamation of the resurrection and we must be in a hurry to share this proclamation. Like the Apostle Thomas, we are called to overcome unbelief and move from seeing to believing. We can "see" the risen Jesus through his wounds, for in order to believe, "...we must see the resurrection.we need to see Jesus touching his love". At Easter time, we ask for the grace to recognize our God, to find our joy in his forgiveness, to find our hope in his mercy. The answer to all human questions is to be found in Jesus Christ's revelation of Himself: "...".I am the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep".
Missionaries of Mercy, new priests and Benedictines
Francis has once again met with the "missionaries of mercyHe reminded them that their ministry is twofold: "The mission is twofold: to renew the mission that they have received since the Jubilee year. He reminded them that their ministry is twofold: "... to renew the mission they have received since the Jubilee year.at the service of people, so that they may be reborn from above and at the service of the community, so that they may live the commandment of love with joy and coherence.".
To the new priests, ordained on the fourth Sunday of Easter, Francis asked them to always keep before their eyes the example of Christ the Good Shepherd, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to seek and save those who were lost.
On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Benedictine Confederation, the Pope wished that this Jubilee year would become for the entire Benedictine family a propitious occasion to reflect on the search for God and his wisdom, and to transmit more effectively its perennial richness to future generations.
Pastoral visits
Visiting the Roman parish of St. Paul of the Cross, the Pope asked his faithful to form a joyful community, with the joy that is born of "touching the risen Jesus"He was a luminous example of all this through prayer, the sacraments, forgiveness that rejuvenates, meeting the sick, the imprisoned, children, the elderly and the needy. Tonino Bello, whose witness of holiness prompted Francis to visit the cities of Alessano (Lecce) and Molfetta (Bari), where he carried out his pastoral ministry.
Catechesis on baptism
Having completed the cycle of catecheses dedicated to commenting on the celebration of Holy Mass, the Pope has begun a new one focusing on baptism. As in the previous one, Francis offers a mystagogical commentary on each of the elements that make up the rite of the celebration of baptism. Thus, he has insisted on the baptism of infants and has been explaining the different elements of the ritual: the dialogue with parents and godparents, the choice of the name, the signing, etc. "Baptism is not a magic formula, but a gift of the Holy Spirit that enables the recipient to fight against the spirit of evil.".
Pastoral concerns
In the last month, the Pope has expressed his deep concern for the world situation: the armed conflicts in Syria and other regions of the world, the revolts in Nicaragua, the meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas. But the same concern has been made manifest in the face of the results of the investigations in charge of clarifying the cases of abuse and cover-up that are shaking the Church in Chile, or the dramatic outcome of the British child Alfie Evans. The Pope is not unaware of so many painful situations in the contemporary world and wishes to project upon them the hopeful light of the Risen Christ. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, has the power to heal the wounds of humanity because he knows his sheep and gives his life for them.
With our eyes always fixed on Mary
As we invoke Mary in the Easter season with the title Queen of Heaven, we look at our world with hopeful concern. Celebrating Christ's triumph over sin and death reminds us once again that we are called to a holy life.
