Pray and reflect with Missio today and over the Easter Triduum.

‘“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest.’
– Luke 24:1-2

In October 2024, Fr Marcelo Pérez, a Tzotzil Indigenous Catholic priest from Chiapas, Mexico, was assassinated. An activist and community leader, he worked to promote peace in Indigenous communities, stop environmental destruction, and often mediated conflicts in challenging areas like Pantelhó.

After his death, the Mexican Bishops’ Conference honoured his memory, saying:

‘Father Marcelo Pérez was a living example of priestly commitment to those in society who were most in need and vulnerable. His pastoral work, which was characterised by his closeness to the people and his constant support for those most in need, leaves a legacy of love and service that will remain in the hearts of all those he touched through his ministry.’

Fr Marcelo had received death threats, but he remained committed to his work, and in doing so left a remarkable legacy of hope. He once reflected on his mission:

‘When Laudato Si’ came out, I did not think of the danger that is going to come; rather it gives me great joy; it gives a lot of strength; it gives a lot of credibility, sustains, protects, helps us to get into more challenging areas, but we come out alive.

‘It is not that the hour has not come to us if it came to Jesus, but we always believe in death with resurrection. As Saint Oscar Romero says: “If they kill me, I will rise again among the people”.

‘Jesus said: “Do not be afraid of the one who can only kill the body”. So, it is very encouraging. […] The project of life, of the Earth, of the defence of human rights, is God’s project, so I firmly believe in God and I try to do what he inspires me to do, regardless, in a good sense, of what may happen to me.’

Witness to hope

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’ friends are comforted by the reminder that Jesus does not reside among the dead, but in fact is still living. Two thousand years later, Fr Marcelo, like countless others, still passes on the legacy of Christ’s teachings.

When we are grieving, our loss can initially overwhelm everything we gained from knowing the person who has died. But as we move through the journey of grief, we realise everything that is not lost. We can embody all that we gained from having that person in our lives.

After loss, what we ultimately take forward is not sorrow, but the promise of eternal hope. Jesus conquered death. Thus, all may rise to life everlasting.

Lord,
You are not found among the dead,
Because you conquered death.
Strengthen me to rise after loss,
To turn sorrow into strength
And grief into hope,
Knowing that,
Through your sacrifice and your victory
You are with us forever. Amen.