Easter Sunday

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." - John 20:26-31

He is risen indeed! Or, as the Holy Father himself said, "Cristo è risorto! Pace a voi!" (Christ is risen! Peace to you all!) This Easter, we celebrated with about 75,000 people from all over the world, gathered together in St. Peter's square to celebrate mass with the Pope. We were fortunate enough to share this celebration with three students from Iowa, whose amazement and joy at being in Rome on Easter reminded us of just how fortunate we are to be part of such an incredible celebration among God's faithful people.

This mass was quite a bit shorter than Palm Sunday. This was even with the extended chant offered by a group of Orthodox priests in commemoration of the shared Easter between East and West, something that doesn't always happen. It even seemed that there were fewer priests distributing communion, and the Pope didn't make a procession or recession through the crowd.

We were a bit disappointed, in spite of the beautiful service and incredible group of people around us, until it came time for the end of mass. The Pope went up to his balcony facing the square and delivered what is known as the Urbi Et Orbi blessing, meaning "the city and the world". It contains what is effectively the Pope's Easter homily, but is also a proclamation of the remission of temporal punishment due to sin via plenary indulgence to all those gathered and/or listening via radio or television. This of itself was interesting enough, but the Pope's homily (which you can read in English here) turned more than a few heads.

While he was giving it, I could only get bits and pieces. I knew he was referencing Thomas, and how we too might be tempted to doubt Christ's resurrection in the face of so much suffering and destruction. I also know he decried violence in a series of places throughout the world, from East Timor to the Middle East. However, I didn't know the extent of his message until I received a phone call from my dad, telling me that NPR covered the speech and the Pope's message for peace. Other news outlets carried the story as well, like this story from CNN. I was amazed that news had traveled so fast.

People think it is so revolutionary when people call for peace. Many news stories tried to politicize it, saying the Pope called only for peace in Iraq or Afghanistan. However, his message was clear - when we profess Christ risen again, we profess hope in a world that can also be redeemed. We say that our faith is not only belief, but it also translates to action. In this Easter world, no one deserves to live in fear, doubt, disease, terror or hopelessness. These statements are not revolutionary, they are only true. May we always have the confidence in Christ to be able to proclaim like Thomas, the disciples, and the women at the tomb, that Christ is risen, he is our Lord, and the world will never be the same because of it.

Resurrected Lord, through you all people have new life. Grant us the confidence in you to turn our words into action as we serve others in your name, bringing your new life into their lives and hearts. Overcome our fears and doubts, and shine your glory on us. We pray this in your most holy and glorious name, Amen.