His saving death and resurrection show that the self-giving love that is God's very life can transform darkness into light, sin into forgiveness, apparent defeat into eternal victory.
Pope Francis from his April 12 weekly address
It is natural for us to want to help those we love, but we know that Christ has asked us to help (love) our neighbor too. This Holy Saturday, as we bring our Easter foods and baskets to the churches to be blessed, and prepare for tomorrow's feasts according to our family traditions, let us not forget the poor and hungry around us.
Who are the poor? The poor include the needy and homeless, the hungry and the lonely. They are also the separated ones, those who are apart from family, and those who have separated themselves from God. The poor include the orphans, the wounded, our brothers and sisters who fear deportation. There are "poor" among those who seem to have everything, yet still long for more. There are the poor in those who live in constant fear, and those in need of forgiveness.
United with the suffering of Christ, may the pooor be given the spiritual strength and stamina they need to carry on and carry Christ in their hearts.
