杏MAP导航

By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Introducing the Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter, 杏MAP导航 Francis turned his thoughts to the members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations.

鈥淭oday is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. Let us pray for the people who work in these meritorious institutions. May the Lord bless their work that does so much good.鈥�

Jesus our consoler

Beginning his homily, the 杏MAP导航 pointed out that the setting of the Gospel Reading was gloomy. Jesus was at dinner with His disciples. They were sad because Jesus had said that one of them would  betray Him. Seeing the disciples鈥� sad disposition, Jesus began to console them since one of Jesus鈥檚 many roles was to be a consoler.

杏MAP导航 Francis remarked that consolation can come in many forms: genuine, formal, or even inauthentic. However, Jesus鈥檚 way of consoling us in times of difficulty is different. It takes three forms: nearness, truth and hope.

Nearness

The consolation of Jesus is always close 鈥� never distant. God drew near to us in the Incarnation. When Jesus consoles, He does not use empty words. He says to us 鈥淚 am here; I am with you.鈥� The force of His presence and His closeness speaks to us even though it is silent. 

Truth

杏MAP导航 Francis remarked that the Gospel passage demonstrates that Jesus did not hide the truth from His disciples. He let them know that His death was near. However, Jesus spoke the truth gently, without seeking to hurt His disciples. Jesus speaks the truth because he is 鈥渢he Way, the Truth and the Life.鈥�

Hope

Jesus consoled His disciples and restored their hope. He said 鈥淒o not let your hearts be troubled. In my Father鈥檚 house, there are many dwelling places. I am going to prepare a place for you鈥� (Jn. 14:2).

The 杏MAP导航 noted that Jesus goes ahead of us to open the doors of heaven for all of us. As Jesus reassures His disciples that He would come back to take them with Him, so He will come back to take us. Jesus does not promise that we will not suffer but rather that when we do, he will be close to us to console us.

The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 prayer

Concluding his homily, 杏MAP导航 Francis pointed out that 鈥淚t is not easy to allow ourselves to be consoled by the Lord.鈥� In bad times, we may become angry with God and we do not allow Him to console us.

杏MAP导航 Francis prayed that we might allow ourselves to be consoled by the Lord. His consolation 鈥渋s nearness, He is truth, and He opens the doors of hope鈥�.

Birthday wishes

At the conclusion of the Mass, 杏MAP导航 Francis wished Happy Birthdady to Silvia, a receptionist at the Casa Santa Marta.