A meaningful expression that Pope Francis leaves us in his latest Encyclical, "Dilexit Nos." This is very much in keeping with the celebration of this Divine Mercy Sunday. The Apostles and Disciples were filled with fear, not only because they feared the persecution of the Pharisees but also because of their own conscience for having betrayed and abandoned their Master. Seeing Him standing before them, they expected a very just retaliation and even some punishment. But they encountered an infinite Love and Mercy that not only forgives them but makes them collaborators in His powerful saving Mission.

        How many parents feel powerless before children who don't know how to receive their love! They love them intensely, but the children don't know how to receive that love. This is the problem of the vast majority of humanity, and even many Catholics. In his Encyclical, "Dilexit Nos" (He Loves Us), Pope Francis asks us to learn to cultivate our hearts. Christ asks us, like a field, to sow good seed. Cultivating our hearts means not allowing the bad seeds that reach us through all means and enter our eyes and ears to take root in our hearts and grow, bearing bitter fruit. We must have the authority and strength to choose the feelings that spring from our hearts. Quite contrary to what we often hear in songs and movies: "the heart is not in control." Quite the opposite! If we do not cultivate our hearts, we will not know how to receive the Merciful Love of our Risen Lord, to enjoy the fruits of the Resurrection that He wants to see in all of us. This is how we prepare for the Kingdom of Christ the King, which will be our Eternal Home!