Jubilee of the Sick, Happy Easter, and Pope Francis Passes

Dear readers, I came here to say two things: one, to link to my latest radio appearance about the Jubilee of the Sick, and second, to wish you a Happy Easter. Instead, I am here to say, as we all already know, Pope Francis passed away early this morning, Easter Monday. Perhaps it is fitting to discuss the value of illness, and God calling the Pope home at Easter.

For that appearance, you can listen here, starting at about minute 17:35. At the very, very end, I don’t know if you can tell, but I got a bit emotional when John asked me for advice for the sick. My advice was: be not afraid, as another Pope, John Paul II, encouraged us. I suppose it is because “sickness,” yes, does mean physical illness, but it is also a state of being mentally and emotionally. And you may even feel emotionally or mentally sick and afraid, and to those people, the same applies: be not afraid. Just hold on. Everything passes.

As for Easter: it is nice the Pope saw his very last Easter, and then passed on, in a jubilee year, in the greatest season. He must have felt ready to let go, and can you blame him? Imagine entering Heaven at Easter. Hopefully earth is just a little bit like Heaven in the Easter season. We can make it so.

I will remember Francis for his urging toward care for the poor. That should always be remembered, because poverty in the world is true, and constant, and sometimes to “accompany” someone in their poverty really is the best and most needed thing we can do. That is his greatest legacy, to put before us always the reality of physical and spiritual poverty, and the church’s mission to be there in solidarity. And, for our own personal mission as Christians to be in solidarity.

May the best of your Easter season be blessed.