Pope Francis noted that this year the Catholic church's celebration of Easter
coincided with that of Orthodox churches, which have many followers in
Ukraine.
Invoking God, he said, `'We ask you to enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine, so that all those involved, with the support of the international community, will make every effort to prevent violence.”
Tensions between pro-Russian supporters in Ukraine and those loyal to the interim government in Kiev have sparked bloodshed in recent days.
Francis also prayed that all sides in Syria will be moved to "boldly negotiate the peace long awaited and long overdue."
Since March 2011, Syria has been racked by a civil war that has cost 150,000 lives and forced millions to flee the country.
Francis makes a pilgrimage to Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Israel next month. On Easter, he prayed that hopes sparked by the resumption of Mideast peace negotiations be sustained.
He also recalled those suffering in Africa from an epidemic of deadly Ebola and urged a halt to `'brutal terrorist attacks” in parts of Nigeria.
But Francis' Easter message also stressed that people pay attention to the needy close to home. Reflecting the priorities of his papacy, he said the `'good news” of Easter's joy and hope means `'leaving ourselves behind and encountering others, being close to those crushed by life's troubles, sharing with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the outcast.”
If you yourself is needy at this time in your life and you are reading this, I understand. It can be very lonely on Holidays such as Easter . I used to be very lonely due to being a single parent. I decided to accept the aloneness as something God wanted for me. I heard a story on the radio about a man who went to Mass for 18 years and quit the church because he never felt Loved.
I thought about that today at Mass when everyone around me greeted their friends and said Happy Easter to their close friends and hugged their family. I had to question myself as to if it could be really that I was invisible today!
I remembered that story and realized it is all about God's love and us sharing that LIGHT to the world. To the sad and lonelier than me perhaps! To my kids! So I came home, opened all the blinds , decided to plan a things for me and my kids that allow us to shine our Light! I am here for you, I have been down and know how to do certain things every day to stay in the Light. If you are depressed, know how much Jesus loves you, even if you feel no one else does.
I understand.
Jazzypsychic![]()
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Invoking God, he said, `'We ask you to enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine, so that all those involved, with the support of the international community, will make every effort to prevent violence.”
Tensions between pro-Russian supporters in Ukraine and those loyal to the interim government in Kiev have sparked bloodshed in recent days.
Francis also prayed that all sides in Syria will be moved to "boldly negotiate the peace long awaited and long overdue."
Since March 2011, Syria has been racked by a civil war that has cost 150,000 lives and forced millions to flee the country.
Francis makes a pilgrimage to Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Israel next month. On Easter, he prayed that hopes sparked by the resumption of Mideast peace negotiations be sustained.
He also recalled those suffering in Africa from an epidemic of deadly Ebola and urged a halt to `'brutal terrorist attacks” in parts of Nigeria.
But Francis' Easter message also stressed that people pay attention to the needy close to home. Reflecting the priorities of his papacy, he said the `'good news” of Easter's joy and hope means `'leaving ourselves behind and encountering others, being close to those crushed by life's troubles, sharing with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the outcast.”
If you yourself is needy at this time in your life and you are reading this, I understand. It can be very lonely on Holidays such as Easter . I used to be very lonely due to being a single parent. I decided to accept the aloneness as something God wanted for me. I heard a story on the radio about a man who went to Mass for 18 years and quit the church because he never felt Loved.
I thought about that today at Mass when everyone around me greeted their friends and said Happy Easter to their close friends and hugged their family. I had to question myself as to if it could be really that I was invisible today!
I remembered that story and realized it is all about God's love and us sharing that LIGHT to the world. To the sad and lonelier than me perhaps! To my kids! So I came home, opened all the blinds , decided to plan a things for me and my kids that allow us to shine our Light! I am here for you, I have been down and know how to do certain things every day to stay in the Light. If you are depressed, know how much Jesus loves you, even if you feel no one else does.
I understand.
Jazzypsychic