12 April 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Latin Rite · Syro-Malabar Rite · മലയാളം
“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
Christ is risen! The first gift of the risen Lord to his frightened disciples was peace: “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). Today St Paul explains what that peace is. “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” Peace with God is not first a calm feeling. It is a new relationship: the enmity of sin is ended, the door is open, and we stand in grace. Christ “was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification,” Paul has just written (Romans 4:25). Easter is the reason we can stand before God unafraid. Then Paul says something surprising: “And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Suffering does not cancel the peace of Easter; in Christ it becomes a road to hope.
Today the Panchangam commemorates St Julius, Bishop of Rome from 337 to 352. His years fell in the storm that followed the Council of Nicaea, when many powerful men sought to soften the faith that the Son is truly God, of one being with the Father. St Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria who defended that faith, was driven from his see, and he came to Rome. Julius received him, examined his case with a synod in Rome, declared him innocent, and wrote a firm letter to the Eastern bishops who had condemned him, asking why the matter had not been referred to Rome as custom required. Julius did not fear the anger of emperors or bishops; he welcomed the persecuted shepherd. The Gospel of the day reads like a portrait of him: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” In welcoming Athanasius, Julius welcomed Christ, and helped to keep the faith of Nicaea, which we still confess in the Creed at every Holy Qurbono.
Jesus ends with the smallest gift: “and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” The Fathers loved this verse. St John Chrysostom pointed out that the Lord said “cold” water, so that no one could say he was too poor even to light a fire (in substance). Welcome is within everyone's reach. It may be a refugee family in the next street, a migrant worker from the north at your bus stop, a priest newly transferred to your parish, a student far from home. To welcome them in Christ's name is to welcome Christ, and the Father who sent him. Pray today for the Pope and for all who suffer for the true faith. Then give one cup of cold water: a meal, a phone call, a seat, a word of welcome to someone who needs it. That is the peace of Easter going out from your heart.
Theme: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
On the commemoration of St Julius, Pope: the peace of Easter, the hope that suffering produces, and the welcome that receives Christ.
“the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:26
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
Apply: Make your peace with God this Easter season in the sacrament of Reconciliation, and with one person you have hurt.
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold.” Job 23:10
“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance;” James 1:2–3
Apply: Offer one difficulty this week to the risen Lord, and ask him for endurance and hope.
“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?” Isaiah 58:7
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2
Apply: Give one cup of cold water this week: a meal, a visit or a word of welcome to someone far from home.
The risen Lord has given us peace with God, and in him even suffering becomes hope.
St Julius welcomed the persecuted shepherd and so welcomed Christ.
Take-home resolution: Stand firm in the faith we confess in the Creed, and welcome the least in the name of Jesus.
Dear friends, Christ is risen! The first word of the risen Lord to his disciples was peace. St Paul tells us what it means: since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). We stand in grace, unafraid.
Even suffering is changed. Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:3–5).
Today we remember St Julius, Pope. When St Athanasius was driven out of Alexandria for defending the faith that the Son is truly God, Julius welcomed him in Rome and stood up for him. Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, says Jesus (Matthew 10:40).
Welcome is within everyone's reach: even a cup of cold water given in his name will not lose its reward. Let us give someone that cup this week: a meal, a visit, a word of welcome. Amen.
Children, Christ is risen! Jesus said that if we give even a glass of cold water to someone in his name, God will never forget it. Long ago Pope Julius welcomed a bishop who had been chased away. Can you welcome someone this week, maybe a new child in your class? When you welcome them, you are welcoming Jesus!
Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, you have given us peace with the Father and poured God's love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. By the prayers of St Julius, who welcomed your persecuted servant Athanasius and guarded the faith of Nicaea, keep our Pope and our bishops firm in the truth. Turn our sufferings into endurance and hope, and make us quick to welcome the least of your brothers and sisters, even with a cup of cold water. You live and reign for ever. Amen.