“Salvation is now at hand through His rising — seeing Jesus as He left the tomb where he was laid upon his death”
Jesus Christ is risen; all glory to God.
The Roman Catholic faithful have started to celebrate Easter, a 50-day feast known as the Paschal Season or Eastertide which began on Easter Sunday with Christ’s resurrection from His death on the cross.
As choirs filled the churches with ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo,’ this period marked the beginning of something new for its congregation — a renewed call of newness and baptism. The jubilation extends from the Resurrection Sunday down to the succeeding week — the Second Sunday of Easter. This eight-day period, the Easter Octave, marks the continuing praise.
Indeed, salvation is now at hand through His rising — seeing Jesus as He left the tomb where he was laid upon his death.
But it seems as if Catholics, like me, might need to retrace our steps back to the cave. And it came on Easter Monday.
The leader of the Roman Catholic church, Pope Francis, passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican made the first announcement which was widely read by people worldwide. The news shocked the world, with those from different faiths and religious backgrounds extending their sympathies.
This sent grief to Catholics, especially to those who lived to see his memorable five-day visit to the Philippines in January 2015. Words, images, and music poured across the online space to remember him as his presence gave light to those who saw him crossing their way on his popemobile. ‘Mercy and compassion’ was his key theme, the highlight of his entire papacy. This was his raison d’etre.
Francis was the pope of which I bore myself witness to. Though I was born in the last years of St. John Paul II and was raised during the entire period of the late Benedict XVI, it was in Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergolio where I got to see his ascent and popularity among the people as the leader of the venerable Catholic church.
Twelve years ago, I first saw the face of the new pope on that Wednesday’s morning news. It was Tuesday night in the Vatican where he was first introduced to the crowd as the successor of Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in February of that year.
He was seemingly flat faced, waving gently to the people in the vast St. Peter’s Square. Little did I know that he would lead an effort to recognize wider sectors of this society, drawn away from its conservative teachings.
Despite criticism from Catholics who were left out in their keen observance to its traditions, he remained popular with those whose voices and perspectives have been left out by the preceding Church establishment.
He became close to the LGBT community, the poor and marginalized, the oppressed, war victims, women, children, and even those who strayed themselves away from the faith. He took them under his care and embraced them as a way to welcome them back. All these were made by him without sacrificing, altering, or removing church tradition and prior precepts.
This Easter week calls us to reflect on the grace He bestowed unto Pope Francis. This season, joyful in its supposed intent, must mean something different for us in a way that could be somber. However, the joy of seeing the lives he touched throughout his stewardship in the church must never be forgotten as a symbol of hope that encompasses this liturgical period.
This period of mourning also calls on us to avoid the pomp of fake pageantry and ill-intended anticipation.
Reposting predictions of his possible successor is an insult to those who mourn upon his demise, let alone amplifying gossip from one’s twisted grapevine would only demean the process. We can only do so much to look forward to someone who could continue Francis’ legacy as a steward to the institution and its people.
Thank you, Pope Francis. Thank you for your message of mercy and compassion. Thank you for shedding Christ’s light to the world.
In the stillness of our hearts, we pray for your eternal repose to the Lord most high.
(The author tries to cure his haywire from his personal grind as he writes essays away from the news. For comments, you may reach him at ngrolando2003@yahoo.com.)
