Dear Brothers and Sisters, what comes to your mind when you hear the word “Iraq?”
I guess, you might think about the Islamic State, war, distraction and persecution.
However, Iraq is a very special place on earth especially when we consider
the religious perspective. It is the land of Abraham, our father in faith.
It is the land of many Old Testament prophets including Jonah who lived in Nineveh.
At the beginning of March 2021 (5-8 March 2021)
Pope Francis went on pilgrimage to Iraq. He visited places that used to be controlled by ISIS.
Over the past two decades, thousands of the local people were
terrorised and killed by the Muslim fanatics.
Many cities were destroyed.
However, today Iraqis are in the process of rebuilding their country.
Life is coming back to normal and people are starting to enjoy freedom.
Even though there is still danger of suicide attacks,
a lot of people feel as if they have risen from the ashes.
The pope’s visit to Baghdad, Irbil, Mosul and Quaraqosh contributed to their experience.
Especially the members of Christian Churches received from Francis’
presence among them a new enthusiasm not only regarding their faith journey.
The Pope gave them a renewed energy to continue rebuilding their homes and not giving up.
Father Lenard Ina, chaplain to the Syriac Catholic Church in Sydney and Canberra,
said that “Easter came early to Quaraqosh” when he saw on TV his friends and former
parishioners clearly overwhelmed with joy upon the Pope’s arrival.
Easter truly came earlier to the people of Iraq.
For us in Victoria Easter came one year later as we couldn’t have it in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Brothers and Sisters, today’s celebration is about coming back to life.
Earlier I mentioned Prophet Jonah. He called people to repent.
Because of his courage and faithfulness to his vocation many of his listeners returned to God.
They were dead but came back to life in God’s presence. Christ’s resurrection is an invitation
for you and me to reject any form of darkness and to rise from the ashes of sin.
It is about welcoming a new kind of life Jesus offers to each one of us.
Those among us who feel deep within that they are spiritually dead are asked this Easter Day to
hear the gentle voice of the risen Lord who tells them: accept the freedom I offer you.
Accept a new kind of life I have prepared for you.
You don’t have to live in despair and spiritual misery.
People of Iraq were tormented by division and war for many years, but they came back to a reality of peace.
Those of us who feel disconnected from God and his Church are invited this Easter Sunday
to rise from the dead and experience the mercy and love of Jesus.
The only thing they need to do is to say YES.
Nothing more.
If you think that you don’t belong to the flock of the Good Shepherd
or if you feel that you have got lost in your spiritual life,
cry out to the Lord.
He has a good ear. Allow him to find you.
He will bring you back so you will be able to enjoy the company of other sheep and feel secure.
Don’t worry if you feel unworthy or dirty.
Other sheep are not necessary completely pure.
They might even stink.
Many of them were lost in the past as well.
They still remember a lot of bad experiences and feel wounded. But what matters the most
is that they were found, came back to life and now are led by Jesus who patiently takes care of them.
When Pope Francis arrived in Iraq, he said that he came as a penitent pilgrim.
He came as a pilgrim to implore forgiveness and reconciliation.
He came as a pilgrim bringing the peace of Christ.
We should imitate him and be penitent pilgrims
in our hearts asking for God’s mercy.
Dear friends, let me use St Paul’s words and invite you today
to “get rid of all the old yeast of evil and wickedness, having only the unleavened
bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor 5:8).
Let us implore God’s forgiveness and rebuild our
spiritual life this Easter season. Let us decide to be authentic Christians of the 'Alleluia' song
so that we can truly experience peace and joy of the presence of the risen Lord.
It is not only pope’s call to bring peace to the nations. It is also our vocation to be channels
of God’s peace and reconciliation in our homes and local communities.
May Christ’s resurrection become a reality in our lives.
Happy Easter to all of you!