God has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation

On the Sixth Sunday of Easter our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the beginning of the first letter of the apostle John (1:1-10) entitled "The word of life and the light of God". Our treasure, which follows, is from a commentary on the second letter to the Corinthians by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop. Saint Cyril was born in 370 and lived a monastic life. He was ordained a priest and succeeded his uncle as bishop of Alexandria where he served from 412 to 444. He was enthroned when the city was at the height of its influence and power within the Roman Empire. He had a preeminent role at the Council of Ephesus; he fought bravely against the doctrines of Nestorius, and wrote many learned works explaining and defending the Catholic faith. Saint Cyril is best known for defending the truth that Jesus Christ is one divine Person with both a fully human and fully divine nature, and for strongly upholding that Mary is rightly called Theotokos ("God-bearer"). He played a central role at the Council of Ephesus, where this teaching was affirmed against error. His legacy is his clear defense of the unity of Christ and the truth of the Incarnation, which remains essential to Catholic belief. Saint Cyril is counted among the Church Fathers and also as a Doctor of the Church. His reputation within the Christian world has resulted in his titles, "Pillar of Faith" and "Seal of all the Fathers". Cyril died in 444. Today's treasure taken from his commentary on 2 Corinthians titled "God has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation", Saint Cyril teaches that through Jesus Christ, God has restored humanity's relationship with Himself, not counting our sins against us but offering forgiveness and new life. This reconciliation is both a gift and a mission: those who receive it are called to share it with others. For Catholics, the main takeaway is to accept God's mercy with gratitude and to become instruments of that same mercy—promoting forgiveness, healing, and unity in the world. In the opening of First Epistle of John (1:1–10), the main takeaway is that Jesus Christ reveals God as light—pure truth and holiness—and invites us into real fellowship with Him. To live in that light, we must walk in truth, not deny our sins, but honestly confess them so we can receive God's forgiveness and cleansing. For Catholics, the message is clear: authentic faith means living in openness before God, rejecting sin, and staying in communion with Him and with one another through a life of repentance and grace.