Posts tagged fear
Easter Sunday Christians celebrate Jesus resurrection
Apr 20th
After the death of the Master, the disciples had scattered; their faith had been utterly shaken, everything seemed over, all their certainties had crumbled and their hopes had died. But now that message of the women, incredible as it was, came to them like a ray of light in the darkness. The news spread: Jesus is risen as he said. And then there was his command to go to Galilee; the women had heard it twice, first from the angel and then from Jesus himself: “Let them go to Galilee; there they will see me”.
Galilee is the place where they were first called, where everything began! To return there, to return to the place where they were originally called. Jesus had walked along the shores of the lake as the fishermen were casting their nets. He had called them, and they left everything and followed him (cf. Mt 4:18-22).
To return to Galilee means to re-read everything on the basis of the cross and its victory. To re-read everything – Jesus’ preaching, his miracles, the new community, the excitement and the defections, even the betrayal – to re-read everything starting from the end, which is a new beginning, from this supreme act of love.
For each of us, too, there is a “Galilee” at the origin of our journey with Jesus. “To go to Galilee” means something beautiful, it means rediscovering our baptism as a living fountainhead, drawing new energy from the sources of our faith and our Christian experience. To return to Galilee means above all to return to that blazing light with which God’s grace touched me at the start of the journey. From that flame I can light a fire for today and every day, and bring heat and light to my brothers and sisters. That flame ignites a humble joy, a joy which sorrow and distress cannot dismay, a good, gentle joy.
In the life of every Christian, after baptism there is also a more existential “Galilee”: the experience of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ who called me to follow him and to share in his mission. In this sense, returning to Galilee means treasuring in my heart the living memory of that call, when Jesus passed my way, gazed at me with mercy and asked me to follow him. It means reviving the memory of that moment when his eyes met mine, the moment when he made me realize that he loved me.
Today, tonight, each of us can ask: What is my Galilee? Where is my Galilee? Do I remember it? Have I forgotten it? Have I gone off on roads and paths which made me forget it? Lord, help me: tell me what my Galilee is; for you know that I want to return there to encounter you and to let myself be embraced by your mercy.
The Gospel of Easter is very clear: we need to go back there, to see Jesus risen, and to become witnesses of his resurrection. This is not to go back in time; it is not a kind of nostalgia. It is returning to our first love, in order to receive the fire which Jesus has kindled in the world and to bring that fire to all people, to the very ends of the earth.
“Galilee of the Gentiles” (Mt 4:15; Is 8:23)! Horizon of the Risen Lord, horizon of the Church; intense desire of encounter… Let us be on our way!
Pope Francis
St. Johns County Library December Events
Nov 30th
Anastasia Island Movie Club
Tuesday, December 3 @ 5:30pm
We have a new selection for you the first Tuesday of the month. For more information, or the name of this month’s film, call 209-3730.
Stories with Santa
Wednesday, December 4 @ 10:30am
Bring in your little ones to have a very special visit with Santa and Ms. Clause. He will be here sharing stories about the North Pole and answering questions from the wee ones about what life is like for Santa. Be sure to bring in your cameras, as this is sure to be a memory you won’t want to forget.
New Disney DVD Family Movie Event
Friday, December 6 @ 3:30pm
(PG) The whole family will enjoy seeing this new DVD Disney release film about a cropdusting plane with a fear of heights. Dusty lives his dream of competing in a famous around-the-world aerial race. Light snacks are provided by the Friends of the Anastasia Island Branch Library.
Winter Wonderland Crafts for Kids & Tweens
Wednesday, December 11 @ 2:30pm
We’re feeling festive. Join us in creating holiday crafts and ornaments. We’ll supply the craft materials – you supply the creativity. All crafting supplies are provided, courtesy of the Friends of the Anastasia Island Branch Library.
Boom Science @ the Library
Friday, December 13 @ 3:30pm
Greg from Boom Science + crazy science experiments = Freaky Friday. Stop by to see what fun he has in store for us this time. Sponsored by the Friends of the Anastasia Island Branch Library.
Source: St. Johns Public Library System