Easter Joy, Grief and Hope
Body
Resurrection, Resurrection, Resurrection. Resurrection changes everything. The Resurrection of Christ changes everything forever. Ironically, providentially the last sermon of Pope Francis (read on his behalf) was this years Easter Sunday proclamation of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Preaching and proclaiming Resurrection is a joyful experience but as I write this article I am grieving the loss of the same Pope Francis, the successor of Peter and our earthly Shepard. The Catholic Church is apostolic. When I woke up this past Easter Monday morning I was confronted with the death of Pope Francis as headline news; My initial reaction was shock, followed by sadness and surprise. This initial shock was despite the fact that when I had seen him on a TV news channel the evening before - on the Balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica Church - I thought to myself “ he won’t be around this time next year.” He was looking frail and fragile.
