The discovery of a 4th-century church in Artaxata by a team of Armenian and German archaeologists coincides with Pope Francis appointing Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian of the Armenian Catholic Church to the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches. This unearthed octagonal structure, likely one of Armenia’s earliest churches, dates back to a period shortly after Armenia embraced Christianity in 301 AD, making it the oldest Christian kingdom.
John Climacus, a revered Eastern Church Father, guides believers through “The Ladder of Divine Ascent,” detailing a 30-step journey of spiritual ascent. His teachings, grounded in renunciation, struggle against passions, and deep love for God and others, resonate across centuries, emphasizing a path to spiritual peace and virtue that all Christians can aspire to.
Pope Francis invites us to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee Year, themed “Spes non confundit”—Hope does not disappoint (Rom 5:5). This Jubilee is a time for spiritual renewal, drawing us closer to God and to one another. Through prayer, mercy, and simplicity, we are called to embrace hope as an anchor for our souls. Let this Jubilee be a pilgrimage of transformation, bringing joy, reconciliation, and a profound commitment to serving those in need.
This Sunday’s Gospel centers on love as the heart of Christian life. Jesus reminds us that loving God and our neighbor fulfills all other commandments. Christian love isn’t simply a feeling but a deep commitment to treat others with the same grace God shows us. As Pope Benedict XVI explains, love matures from desire (eros) to friendship (philia) to self-sacrifice (agape), mirroring Christ’s love for humanity.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus discusses the heart of Old Testament law: love of God and love of neighbor. This dialogue invites us to consider the philosophy that drives our lives. Are our actions filtered through the values of compassion, care, and community? Discipleship is more than intentions; it’s the daily practice of gospel-inspired choices.
Saint Maximus the Confessor, a profound Eastern Church Father, suffered torture, exile, and mutilation for defending Christ’s dual wills—human and divine. He believed that true freedom and union with God come through aligning one’s will with God’s, a unity embodied in Christ’s acceptance of suffering. Through his writings, Maximus provides guidance on overcoming human passions and the ascetical struggle of Christian life.
In light of his upcoming ordination as Cardinal, Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu of Tehran calls for a renewed commitment to peace. Reflecting on the warmth and resilience of the Iranian people, Archbishop Mathieu urges the global community to seek unity through genuine dialogue. He emphasizes that true reconciliation requires courage, as well as the abandonment of divisive ambitions, to foster fraternity and peace, especially in a region scarred by ongoing conflict.
In her teachings on prayer, St. Teresa of Ávila emphasized “determined determination” as an unwavering commitment to journey with God. This is more than a simple intention; it is a resolute decision to follow the path of prayer and surrender wholeheartedly, embracing all challenges. Teresa’s path is a dynamic ascent in prayer, from vocal prayer to the profound union of spiritual marriage with Christ, reflecting a life dedicated to love and service of God and neighbor.
Every human life is a pilgrimage, a journey toward God, the ultimate source of hope. As pilgrims, we traverse stony paths with hope anchored in faith and love, knowing that our true homeland is in heaven (Phil 3:20). Hopeful love moves us to live fully in the present, trusting God and serving others along the way. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today to love Jesus.”
In today’s Gospel, Bartimaeus’ healing reminds us that spiritual blindness can keep us from seeing God’s plan of goodness. His story invites us to cast aside anything that holds us back, follow Christ courageously, and love others as He loves. Like Bartimaeus, we are called not just to receive sight but to journey “along the way” with Jesus, walking in faith, hope, and love.