Pope Francis: May we be joyful proclaimers of the Gospel

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Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis greeted pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square at midday on Easter Monday for the recitation of the Regina Coeli, which is said in place of the Angelus during Eastertide from Easter Sunday to the end of Pentecost.

In reflecting on today's Gospel that recounts the women disciples who find the empty tomb and encounter the Risen Jesus on Easter morning, Pope Francis said they were the first to go to the tomb and became the first bearers of the good news of the resurrection.

The Pope described how they too like all the disciples were still in mourning after Jesus' suffering and death, but they did not let sadness or fear hold them back from going to the tomb with aromatic ointments to anoint the body of Jesus in a gesture of love and remembrance. And overcoming their fears and sadness with this courage and love is what leads them to encounter the Risen One.

The discovery of the empty tomb leads the women to hurry and run off to tell the other disciples about this wonderful news, the Pope observed, and then Jesus goes to encounter them as they are on their way.

"This is beautiful: when we proclaim the Lord, the Lord comes to us."

Sometimes we might that keeping God to ourselves is a way to be close to Him, but this can also be out of our own fear that if we speak openly, people might judge, criticize or challenge us and we don't know how to respond, so best to keep it inside. Instead, the Pope explained that our going out to tell others about the Lord, brings the Lord among us.

"This is what the women teach us: we encounter Jesus by witnessing him."

The Pope then gave an example of how sharing good news brings the news alive in us. The birth of a child is a happy announcement people share with family and friends, and by telling people about it, the good news comes alive in us, he noted. And this happens "infinitely more for Jesus," he explained, who is not only good news, but "life itself, 'the resurrection and the life'."

"Every time we announce it, not by propaganda or proselytizing, but with respect and love, as the most beautiful gift to share, as the secret of joy, then Jesus dwells in us even more."

Nothing can stop us from proclaiming the Lord after an encounter with Him, the Pope added, and if we do not share this experience, maybe we have yet to really meet Him. The Pope suggested we ask ourselves when and how we bear witness to Jesus, and if others perceive we have met the Lord and are therefore interested and inspired to know more.

"Let us ask Our Lady to help us be joyful proclaimers of the Gospel."

Watch the Regina Coeli prayer on Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iipM3OX6kIs