"Witnessing Christ’s death and resurrection". The catechesis of today’s general audience concluded with that invitation, in which Benedict XVI renewed wishes for two times at the beginning and at the end of the catechesis, "Happy Easter for everybody". "Thanks for being present in such a great number", actually said the Pope, speaking off the cuff, answering the welcome applause of about 35 thousand present believers. Lingering over the apparitions of Jesus after the Resurrection to Mary Magdalene, Thomas, the Apostles and the disciples of Emmaus, the Holy Father recalled that the "look" of the Christian is "projected towards the future". "The task of the disciple", according to the Pope, "is to witness the death and the resurrection of his Master. For this reason, Jesus invites his incredulous friend ‘to touch him’". Like Thomas, "we also cannot keep the great piece of news for ourselves. We must say it to the whole world: ‘We have seen the Lord!". Just like the disciples of Emmaus, who "recognized" Jesus "when he disappeared". On commenting this evangelical episode, St. Augustine stated: "Having Christ in one’s heart is much more than having it in one’s dwelling: our heart is actually more intimate to us than our house" (To be continued).
