POPE FRANCIS CELEBRATED EASTER SUNDAY MASS

POPE'S FIRST EASTER MASS
SENDS MESSAGES OF PEACE

www.npr.org - Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass praying for world peace and urging a diplomatic solution to the standoff on the Korean peninsula. Only two weeks after his election, the first pope from the developing world continues to make his mark on the Catholic Church. St. Peter's Square was bedecked with flowers and packed with joyous pilgrims and tourists as Pope Francis celebrated Easter Mass. In his first message to the city and to the world, Francis urged peace for the Middle East and for Israelis and Palestinians to resume negotiations to end a conflict that has lasted too long. "Peace in Iraq," Francis said, "that every act of violence may end, and above all, for dear Syria. ... How much suffering must there still be before a political solution can be found?" The Argentine-born pope also decried terrorism in the war-torn countries of Africa: Mali, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.

He appealed for peace in Asia, especially on the Korean Peninsula. May disagreements be overcome, he said, and a renewed spirit of reconciliation grow. Francis' most intense appeal was for what he called a world divided by greed, looking for easy gain, wounded by selfishness. He singled out human trafficking, calling it the most extensive form of slavery in this 21st century. He urged peace for a world torn apart by violence linked to drug trafficking and by the iniquitous exploitation of natural resources. 
In keeping with his humble image, Francis wore simple unadorned vestments and celebrated the Mass alone, without his cardinals. In another contrast with his predecessor, the rituals this holy week have been shorter than in past years. The new pope has struck a chord with his direct language and by referring to himself as the bishop of Rome rather than supreme pontiff.

Pope Francis is taking part in his first Holy Week as pontiff. These days, Christians around the world take part in the celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians flock to churches to celebrate Easter Sunday, praying, singing and rejoicing. The biblical account of the life and passion of Lord Jesus teaches us many things, and one of them is that people like to judge others. The only fault of Lord Jesus Christ was that he was explaining God consciousness. The reward he received for his preaching was the cruel crucifixion. However, he was able to tolerate all these sufferings, showing the world his compassionate heart.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

A Krishna conscious person does not sit down idly. He knows that Krishna consciousness is such an important philosophy that it should be distributed. ... A devotee displays great compassion toward conditioned souls. The word kapa means “mercy,” and sindhu means “ocean.” A devotee is an ocean of mercy, and he naturally wants to distribute this mercy. Lord Jesus Christ, for instance, was God conscious, Krishna conscious, but he was not satisfied in keeping this knowledge within himself. Had he continued to live alone in God consciousness, he would not have met crucifixion. But no. Being a devotee and naturally compassionate, he also wanted to take care of others by making them God conscious. Although he was forbidden to preach God consciousness, he continued to do so at the risk of his own life. This is the nature of a devotee.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
"The Path of Perfection"
Chapter Five:
"Determination and Steadiness in Yoga"
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/