Pope Francis presided over the Regina Coeli prayer this April 18, Monday known as “Monday of the Angel”. The Holy Father invited the faithful to “not be afraid” and to announce the Resurrection of Christ.
In his message prior to this Marian prayer that is prayed at noon during the Easter season instead of the Angelus, the Holy Father said that these days of the Octave of Easter “are like a single day in which the joy of the Resurrection is prolonged ”.
He then explained that “the Gospel of today’s liturgy continues to speak to us of the Risen One, of his appearance to the women who had gone to the tomb (cf. Mt 28:8-15). Jesus comes out to meet them and greets them; then he tells them two things, which it will do us good to receive as an Easter gift as well.”
“Do not be afraid”
“First, he reassures them with two simple words: ‘Don’t be afraid; (v.10). The Lord knows that fears are our daily enemies.”
“He also knows that our fears are born from the great fear, the fear of death: fear of fading away, of losing loved ones, of getting sick, of being powerless… But on Easter Jesus defeated death. Therefore, no one can tell us more convincingly: ‘Do not be afraid,'” the Holy Father said.
“Brother, sister, who believe in Christ, do not be afraid. “I,” Jesus tells you, “have tasted death for you, I have burdened myself with your evil. Now I have risen to tell you: I am here, with you, forever. Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.”
Later, the Pontiff pointed out that in order to combat the fear that “encloses us in ourselves, Jesus lets us out and sends us to others. Here is the remedy”, underlined Pope Francis.
“Go out and announce, go out and announce. Because the joy of Easter is not to be kept for oneself. The joy of Christ is strengthened by giving it, multiplied by sharing it. If we open ourselves and carry the Gospel, our hearts expand and overcome fear. This is the secret, advertising to overcome fear”, he pointed out