Pope
Francis celebrated morning Mass Thursday in Domus Sanctae Marthae
together with staff of the Vatican Typography during which he spoke of
the wonder of our encounter with the Risen Lord. Continuing his reflections on the Pascal Mystery as presented in the Liturgy of the Word, Thursday in the Octave of Easter, Pope Francis noted how all of the readings speak of amazement and wonder: the crowds' amazement at Peter’s healing of the crippled man and the wonder of the disciples at the Risen Christ’s appearance to them.
"Wonder is a great grace, the grace that God gives us in our encounter with Jesus Christ. It is something that draws us outside of ourselves with joy ... it is not a mere enthusiasm" like that of sports fans "when their favorite team wins", but "it's something deeper".
It is having an inner experience of meeting the Living Christ and thinking that it is not possible: "But the Lord helps us understand that is the reality. It is wonderful! "
"Perhaps, the opposite experience is more common, the [experience] that human weakness and even mental illness, or the devil, lead us to believe that ghosts, fantasies, are reality: that is not of God. This joy, that is so unbelievably great, is of God. And we think, 'No, this can’t be real!'. This is the Lord's. This wonder is the beginning of the habitual state of Christians. "
Pope Francis continued, "of course we cannot live forever in [a state of] wonder. No, we really cannot. But it is the beginning. Then, this astonishment leaves an impression in the soul and spiritual consolation. It is the consolation of those who have encountered Jesus Christ”.
Pope Francis concluded: "First wonder, then spiritual consolation and finally, the last step: peace. Even in the most painful tests, a Christian never loses the peace and presence of Jesus. With a little 'courage' we can pray: 'Lord, grant me this grace which is the hallmark of our encounter with you: spiritual consolation and peace'. A peace that we cannot lose because it is ours, it is the Lord's true peace that cannot be bought or sold. It is a gift from God. This is why we ask for the grace of spiritual consolation and peace of mind, that starts with this joyful wonder of our encounter with Jesus Christ. So be it. "