Chaplain's Reflection

Don’t back down!

Jesus and the authorities were never going to get on! Jesus won’t stop courageously delivering the Good News of the already present Kingdom of God, and, after his temple challenge, events seem inevitable. The authorities were always going to get rid of him, but they wanted to carry out the operation without causing a major riot. Waiting a few days, they arrest Jesus on trumped up charges with a guilty verdict and execution a forgone conclusion. (Peaceful protesters around the world get similar treatment from 21st century bullies and dictators).

Mark’s 'Passion Narrative' in the Palm Sunday gospel (Mark 14:1-15:47) gives us a complete account of Jesus final days, his trial, death and resurrection. Jesus has opportunities to back down, avoiding suffering, humiliation and death, but he is on a mission. 

From this and the other gospels, we know the story with the eyes of faith, but what does history tell us? Serious scholars, whether Christian or not, agree that Jesus certainly existed. Disinterested and non-Christian sources support the bare bones of our gospel accounts and many of the events we Christians attribute to him are historically verifiable. One thing is certain: he was condemned to death during the reign of Tiberius, by the governor Pontius Pilate. We have that information from Tacitus, the famous Roman historian. Getting rid of the leader should have scared off his followers and sympathisers. But Flavius Josephus (the famous Romanised Jewish writer) “says the same thing and adds some interesting details: Jesus “attracted many Jews and many people of Greek origin. And when Pilate, because of an accusation lodged by some of our leaders, condemned him to the cross, those who loved him did not stop loving him.” (Pagola p353). Soon after fleeing in disarray, those Jews and Greeks are back! They (and we) experience an astounding Easter surprise! 

World Children Day (25-26 May 2024)

Pope Francis sends a message to all the children of the world ahead of the first “World Children’s Day” to encourage them to be united and listen to advice from grown-ups because, he says, their “pleases” and “thank yous” are the first step towards a better world.

Pope Francis has sent a message to all the children of the world, ahead of the very first World Day dedicated to them. World Children’s Day, which will be held in Rome on 25-26 May this year “is fast approaching” he tells them.

A message to each and all

In his message, Pope Francis writes that he wants to speak to “each” of them because each individual is precious. At the same time, he continues, the message is addressed to “all” of them, because all children, everywhere, “are a sign of every person’s desire to grow and flourish”.

The Holy Father goes on to remind the children they are a source of joy for their parents and families “but also for our human family and for the Church” in which we are all connected. For this reason, the Pope encourages the children to pay attention to the stories grown-ups tell them.

Be close to the children who suffer

The next encouragement is never to forget all the children who are suffering or going through a difficult time. Amongst these are people battling illnesses, at the hospital or at home, and some are being “cruelly robbed of their childhood”.  Pope Francis explains that he is referring to children who are “victims of war and violence, those experiencing hunger and thirst, those living on the streets, those forced to be soldiers or to flee as refugees, separated from their parents, those prevented from going to school, and those who fall prey to criminal gangs, drugs or other forms of slavery and abuse”.

We must listen to their voices, stresses the Pope.

Unity above all

However, the Pope continues, if we want our world to flourish, being close to each other is not enough. “We need, above all else, to be united with Jesus”, he says, explaining that with Jesus we can dream of the renewal of our human family and work for a more fraternal society that cares for our common home.

Pope Francis explains that creating a caring and fraternal society starts with little things “like saying hello to others, asking permission, begging pardon, and saying thank you”. If we are not ashamed to take small steps, one at a time, our world will change, he says.

Then, the Pope highlights the importance of friendship. Everything is always better “when we are together!” stresses the Pope, inviting the children to share their joys. “Gifts are nice” he says, “but only if they help us to be together”.

The secret of prayer

Pope Francis then discloses what he describes as a “secret” to the children: the secret of prayer. He says that “prayer fills our hearts with light and warmth” and invites the children to pray to the Father just as Jesus did. “In his language, Jesus called the Father ‘Abba’, which means ‘Daddy’”. Let’s do the same thing!”, says the Pope, adding that in this way we will always feel Jesus close to us.

Bringing his message to a close, Pope Francis invites the children to prepare for the moment, in May, in which many of them will be together in Rome, by praying the Our Father. He invites the children not only to say the words but to listen to them, too. “He is calling us and he wants us to join actively with him, on this World Children’s Day, to become builders of a new, more humane, just and peaceful world”.

Finally, Pope Francis reminds all the children that “God has loved us from all eternity” and invites them to join him in this prayer:

“Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty, reflected in the faces of children all over the world. Come, Jesus, you who make all things new, who are the way that leads us to the Father, come and remain with us always. Amen.”

With thanks to Vatican News and Francesca Merlo, where this article originally appeared.

Deacon Mark Kelly

College Chaplain