蜜桃交友

By Christopher Wells

At the Regina Coeli on the Third Sunday of Easter, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).

鈥淚t is a story which begins and ends on the move鈥�, the Pope said. On the way from Jerusalem to Emmaus, the disciples are sad, although the Lord, whom they do not recognise, is walking beside them. On the return journey, they are joyful, because, although they no longer see Jesus, they feel Him near them.

Two different paths

Pope Francis said that these 鈥渢wo different paths鈥� show us 鈥渢hat in life, we have two opposite directions in front of us鈥�. One is the path of those who 鈥渓et themselves be paralysed by life鈥檚 disappointments鈥�, and the other is that of those who put Jesus, and their brothers and sisters, in first place.

鈥淗ere is the turning point鈥�, the Pope said: 鈥渢o stop orbiting around oneself, the disappointments of the past, the unrealised ideals, and to go on looking at the greatest and truest reality of life: Jesus is alive and loves me鈥�.

Moving from 鈥渋f鈥� to 鈥測es鈥�

Commenting on a play on words in the Italian, the Holy Father said we are called to move from 鈥渋f鈥� (se) to yes (sì). We often think 鈥渋f God had freed us, if God had listened to me, if life had gone as I wanted, if I had this or that鈥�. That was the disciples' attitude that first Easter evening. Yet 鈥渢hey pass to the 鈥榶es鈥�,鈥� the Pope said: 鈥淵es, the Lord is alive, He walks with us. Yes, now, not tomorrow, we are on our way to announce it鈥�.

For the two disciples of Emmaus, this change occurred by meeting Jesus. Pope Francis explained that, for us too, there are three steps we can take in our own homes: opening our hearts to Jesus, listening to Jesus, and praying to Jesus.

Choosing the way of God

鈥淚n life, we are always journeying鈥�, the Pope reminded us. 鈥淎nd we become what we go towards. Let us choose the way of God, not of the self鈥� We will discover that there are no unexpected events, no uphill path, no night that cannot be faced with Jesus鈥�.