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Numerous people have expressed their sorrow to me over the recent death of Pope Francis. But I must admit that I do not share their sorrow. It’s not that I had enough of Pope Francis and am happy to see him vacate the See of Peter. Quite the opposite. I think he did many good things for the Church and humanity. But after all the physical challenges he had in recent years, frankly, I’m happy the Lord has relieved him of his suffering. As a Catholic who believes in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting, I pray and trust that the God of Love is shining the rays of His mercy upon his servant on this Divine Mercy Sunday.

Today we begin to celebrate the greatest event in human history: the resurrection of Jesus our Lord. We begin the season of Easter which extends for fifty days. The mystery of the resurrection is so profound that we need at least fifty days to ponder it, to celebrate it, and to appropriate it into our lives. Since this season is just beginning, the Church does not give us all the information on this first day. We only hear the beginning of the story: the discovery of the empty tomb.

Welcome to Holy Week which extends from Palm Sunday to Easter. It includes the Sacred Triduum: Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper, Friday of the Lord’s Passion, and Holy Saturday with the great Easter Vigil. Since we have a whole week to contemplate the paschal mystery—the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus—you may wonder why we read the Good Friday story on Palm Sunday?

In this weekend’s first reading, the Lord announces: “I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink, the people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise” (Isaiah 43:20-21).