Holy Father Pope Francis, in his homily at the Holy Mass in the Casa Santa Marta, conveyed that joy brings with it Christian obedience, witness, and realism, which lead to the persecution of Christians around the world for their “bothersome” witness to Jesus. His Holiness Pope Francis reflected on the three traits that are born from Easter joy: obedience, witness, and realism.
As reported by Vatican radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “Obedience is doing the Will of God, which is the path opened up for us by Jesus. The Christian must obey God. The Apostles’ second characteristic is witness. Their witness annoyed their contemporaries just as Christian witness does today for some. This happens perhaps because we seek compromise between the world and ourselves. But Christian witness knows no path of compromise”. Further His Holiness added, “Think about Christians persecuted in Africa and the Middle East. There are more today than in early Christianity: people in prison, killed and hanged all to witness to Jesus. They are witnesses to the end.”
Holy Father Pope Francis concluded his homily by urging the faithful to ask for the grace of the Holy Spirit of realism. His Holiness, finally, prayed for the joy that comes with the Holy Spirit’s presence after Easter.
