Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Benedict XVI said today that the transformation Jesus’ Resurrection brought about in His disciples should inspire a similar response in Catholics this Easter.

Faith in Jesus he said, ‘transforms our lives; it frees them from fear, gives them firm hope, and infuses them with something that provides existence with full meaning: the love of God.’

Just as the disciples were inspired by Jesus return form the dead so to should we be inspired, the Holy Father said this morning at the Vatican after interrupting his holiday at Castelgandolfo to lead his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square.

“Today too the Risen One enters our homes and hearts, although sometimes the doors are closed,” the Pope said. “He enters bringing joy and peace, life and hope, gifts we need for our human and spiritual rebirth.

“Only He can put an end to division, enmity, rancour, envy, mistrust and indifference. Only He can give meaning to the lives of those who are weary, sad and without hope.”

For Christians, the Pope said, ‘Easter must be a time for the joyful and enthusiastic rediscovery of the sources of the faith.’

“This means following the same path as that along which Jesus directed the disciples, through the rediscovery of the Word of God and the Eucharist,” he said. “The culmination of this journey, then as now, is Eucharistic communion. In communion Jesus nourishes us with His Body and His Blood, becoming present in our lives, making us new and animating us with the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Before the audience, Pope Benedict blessed a mosaic representing the Holy Family. It will be brought to Milan for the World Meeting of Families which begins on May 30.

—General audience video, click here.