Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

On April 24, 2025, a letter from a bishop was released, reflecting on the love of Christ, coinciding with the Second Sunday of Easter and the Sunday of Divine Mercy. The Resurrected Christ's message of "peace" is highlighted, underscoring the fulfillment of God's love in a Divine treasure of hope and grace.

Pope Francis, in his latest encyclical titled "Dilexit Nos, He Loved Us," stresses the depth of his relationship with Jesus, urging a rediscovery of the "importance of the heart." Through reflective questions, Pope Francis probes the necessity for the Church to revitalize its mission and openness to Christ's love, proposing the rediscovery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This, he believes, can heal and inspire a journey towards a just and fraternal world.

Holy Week brought focus to a passage from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me” (Isaiah 61:1). Echoing this sentiment, Pope Francis emphasizes heart-led actions to bring glad tidings and healing. He advocates for valuing the spiritual, emotional, and creative aspects within individuals, often overlooked in contemporary society.

Pope Francis's encyclical examines the transformative power of Jesus' heart as a healing force in a divided world. He highlights the heart as "the locus of sincerity" and a cornerstone for love and justice, advocating for service and goodness in all vocations. The heart of Christ, seen as ecstasy and gift, becomes a source for building God's Kingdom.

The Easter message conveys that believers receive God's infinite love through the Eucharist, fueling a desire to spread this love through words and deeds. Pope Francis urges believers to channel this Divine Love, emphasizing its universality and necessity.

The letter concludes, calling on believers to embody God's heart, spreading love among all people.