Third Sunday of Easter
Dear friends in Christ
On this Third Sunday of Easter we hear the Resurrection appearance of Jesus to two disciples on their way to Emmaus. They are filled with fear and apprehension and their conversation is lacking in hope. These men are returning home from the festival of Passover in Jerusalem and they are speaking of Jesus as belonging to the past. These two did indeed know about Christ’s promise of rising on the third day. They had heard that morning the message of the women who had found the empty tomb and the angels. But instead of being filled with optimism, they are downcast and lacking faith. Jesus—at first not recognised—walks by heir side and interprets for them all that has happened, and their minds are then opened and everything falls into place. When we meet with discouragement and when we lack hope because of our defects or the difficulties of life, we have to allow ourselves to be helped by Jesus and tell Him that we do not want to be parted from Him, whatever life puts on our road. In those times, we can say the words—the prayer—of those two disciples: Stay with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And Jesus, who is never very far away, will walk with us too.
This Sunday I welcome to the Parish Monsignor Ante Vidović who is the Deputy Head of Mission at the Apostolic Nunciature in London; he will concelebrate the 11.30am Mass. The Nunciature is the Embassy of the Vatican in Great Britain and has a twofold function of representing the Pope to the church in our country and also representing the Holy See to the Government. May the visit of Msgr Vidović remind us of our strong bonds with the Holy Father in Rome and also our relationship to the greater Universal Church in our land and beyond. In these days Pope Leo is making his apostolic visit to four African nations. So this is also the opportunity to renew our prayers for the Holy Father especially as he has come under attack this week. Preaching in Cameroon on Thursday he proclaimed: Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers” but woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.
May God bless our Pope and God bless all of you!
Msgr Kevin Hale