I came across an article about a parish in Lafayette section of
Jersey City. They were involved in an unusual Good Friday procession.
The parish wanted to connect the sufferings of Christ to the sufferings of
their neighborhood. Several of the 14 stations in the outdoor procession
were at the homes in the neighborhood where muggings, fires, murders,
had taken place over the last year.
The station where Simon helps Jesus carry his cross took place
at the home of a teenage boy who risked his life to help a man
who been mugged and left for dead.
The 12th station marking the death of Jesus, was held in the
front of the house of Francis McMahon, an 84 year old woman
who was murdered in her own home 3 weeks before Good
Friday.
I thought to myself what a creative and powerful way to link
together the suffering, pain and death of Jesus with the suffering, pain
and death of the world you and I live in today.
I also thought to myself about a follow up article, about real living
Flesh and Blood experiences of Easter Resurrection today! What would
I write about? What would you write about?
I would write about the very old women I visit occasionally
who is not able to do much except sit and rock: who was given
up for dead at least 3 times by the doctors and family: yet every
time I go there to bring her Communion, this woman’s faith in a
living God, her spirit and joy in the face of pain and loneliness
inspired me. I leave having received more than I gave her.
I would write about the 18 year old young man who died of
Aids recently. He developed Aids because of a blood
transfusion. He was dealt a very unfair and unjust hand in life.
He could have chosen to be bitter and angry and feel sorry for
himself, but instead he taught me and others some powerful
lessons about compassion, mercy, and forgiveness.
I would write about many of you, yes you! You who have had
to face tragedies, sickness, deaths, divorces, loss of jobs, family
problems, crisis of your children, becoming parents of your
parents; various addictions, the list goes on and on.
In the face of all these dark realities, I see and I hear you complain,
you struggle, you get frustrated, you get angry, normal things human
beings do. Yet I see you also continue to try to live your lives like there
is some good news of hope and joy. You remind me and others that
Jesus Christ is not a memory from the past generations. Jesus Christ is a
living presence and surely as he walked with those first disciples on the
trails of Palestine, He goes with us on the modern streets and freeways
of our life.
Easter People. That’s what I would entitle my article. To be Easter
People, the challenge, not just today, but every day. People whose lives,
not just their mouths (in church) radiate (not perfectly but as best we
can) the living presence, the hope, the joy, the peace of Jesus, risen and
alive right here right now. Let us recommit ourselves to being Easter
People. Renew Baptism Vow
Archive for the ‘The Resurrection of The Lord’ Category
Easter People 3-31-2024
Friday, March 29th, 2024Easter People 4-17-2022
Wednesday, April 13th, 2022In one family, it is a Good Friday. A job has been lost, a career derailed. A serious illness has been diagnosed. A once-loving relationship has unraveled. But the other members of the family put aside their own lives and come together at the foot of their loved one’s cross. Their love moves whatever mountain necessary, changes the course of whatever river is in their way. Together, Mom and Dad and Sister and Brother, Step Parent, Single Parent, and Grandparent bear one another’s crosses to bring hope, healing, forgiveness — and resurrection — to every aspect of their life together as a family. The love of our families can transform tragic and desperate Good Fridays into Easter hope.
In this classroom, it is a Good Friday. The numbers and diagrams in the algebra text are a maze to the student. She is lost and frustrated and discouraged and wants to quit. A tired, overworked teacher just wants to go home after a long week; but, seeing her student’s frustration, she takes off her coat, puts down her pile of books and papers, and patiently walks through the problems with the befuddled student. After a lot of hard work and patience, the “lights come on.” A teacher’s selfless caring and generous gift of time transform this student’s Good Friday into Easter light.
At corporate, it is Good Friday. A single mother has lost all of her vacation and leave time to care for her seriously ill child. She is about to lose her job – and the important medical benefits critical to her family’s survival. Her co-workers devise a plan to pool some of their vacation time and cover her responsibilities so that she can keep her job and benefits while caring for her son. A Good Friday of desperation is transformed into an Easter of possibility.
If we are honest, all of us sometimes find ourselves stuck in a Good Friday world – our problems batter us, overwhelm us, strain our ability to cope and make it all work. Our Alleluias are tempered by reality; we approach this Easter Day with “Christ is risen, BUT…” But in raising his son from the dead, God affirms the Good news of his Christ: that good can conquer evil, that love can transform hatred, that light can shatter the darkness. We need to remember and remember it well, the story of Jesus whether told in the Bible or on a movie screen does not end in the cold hopelessness of the cross but reaches ultimate fulfillment in the Resurrection. Easter calls us to embrace the Risen One’s compassion and openness of heart and spirit, enabling us to transform the Good Fridays of our lives into Easter mornings.
This Easter morning I close with a challenge for all of us!
Some years ago, I was in Rome on Palm Sunday with the youth from our Diocese for World Youth Day. We all had the opportunity to hear Mother Theresa of Calcutta speak.
I remember well what she said:
“Death has not put a stop to the mission of Jesus. His mission is to be carried on through us. Living witnesses of his presence.” The challenge, to be Easter People — not just today, but everyday. People whose lives not just their mouths (in church) radiate (not perfectly but as best we can) the hope — the joy – the presence of Jesus risen and alive – right here — right now.
Let us stand and re commit ourselves to Being Easter People everyday!
Easter People 4-12-2020
Sunday, April 12th, 2020In one family, it is a Good Friday. A job has been lost, a career
derailed. A serious illness has been diagnosed. A once-loving
relationship has unraveled. But the other members of the family put
aside their own lives and come together at the foot of their loved one’s
cross. Their love moves whatever mountain necessary, changes the
course of whatever river is in their way. Together, Mom and Dad and
Sister and Brother, Step Parent, Single Parent, and Grandparent bear
one another’s crosses to bring hope, healing, forgiveness — and
resurrection — to every aspect of their life together as a family. The
love of our families can transform tragic and desperate Good Fridays
into Easter hope.
In this classroom, it is a Good Friday. The numbers and diagrams
in the algebra text are a maze to the student. She is lost and frustrated
and discouraged and wants to quit. A tired, overworked teacher just
wants to go home after a long week; but, seeing her student’s
frustration, she takes off her coat, puts down her pile of books and papers, and patiently walks through the problems with the befuddled
student. After a lot of hard work and patience, the “lights come on.” A
teacher’s selfless caring and generous gift of time transform this
student’s Good Friday into Easter light.
At corporate, it is Good Friday. A single mother has lost all of her
vacation and leave time to care for her seriously ill child. She is about
to lose her job – and the important medical benefits critical to her
family’s survival. Her co-workers devise a plan to pool some of their
vacation time and cover her responsibilities so that she can keep her job
and benefits while caring for her son. A Good Friday of desperation is
transformed into an Easter of possibility.
If we are honest, all of us sometimes find ourselves stuck in a
Good Friday world – our problems batter us, overwhelm us, strain our
ability to cope and make it all work. Our Alleluias are tempered by
reality; we approach this Easter Day with “Christ is risen, BUT…” But
in raising his son from the dead, God affirms the Good news of his
Christ: that good can conquer evil, that love can transform hatred, that light can shatter the darkness. We need to remember and remember it well, the story of Jesus whether told in the Bible or on a movie screen
does not end in the cold hopelessness of the cross but reaches ultimate
fulfillment in the Resurrection. Easter calls us to embrace the Risen
One’s compassion and openness of heart and spirit, enabling us to
transform the Good Fridays of our lives into Easter mornings.
This Easter morning I close with a challenge for all of us!
Some years ago, I was in Rome on Palm Sunday with the youth
from our Diocese for World Youth Day. We all had the opportunity to
hear Mother Theresa of Calcutta speak.
I remember well what she said:
“Death has not put a stop to the mission of Jesus. His mission is to
be carried on through us. Living witnesses of his presence.” The
challenge, to be Easter People — not just today, but everyday. People
whose lives not just their mouths (in church) radiate (not perfectly but
as best we can) the hope — the joy – the presence of Jesus risen and
alive – right here — right now.
Let us stand and re commit ourselves to Being Easter People everyday!