How was everyone’s Lent? It has now come and gone. So has Holy Week and Easter Sunday … the full scope of this season seems overwhelming to me. There are so many points to ponder – but mainly, to reflect and dwell on the fact that our Lord IS Risen. WOW! As St. Augustine says, “We are a people of the Resurrection.” We are saved, we are redeemed, He is with us ALWAYS! That’s Good News indeed.
My mind has not kept up with all the prayerful insights of our Lord’s Last Supper, Agony, Crucifixion, being placed in a tomb … and then the miraculous Rising on Easter Sunday. He shocked His followers, the Apostles, all the Disciples, His poor Mother who had to witness the horror and pain of His brutal death. He brought about a different kind of Kingdom. He chose the weak to spread the Good News. He sends Peter (who denied Him) forth to head His new church … the Way of Jesus. We are called to die to our old selves, and rise again to a new life in Christ. No one could have figured out this “story.”
And this Risen Lord can now be with us always, to lead us, guide us, correct us, & forgive us. He has freed us from the burden of sin and tears away the veil that separates us from God the Father, and shares with us in that Father/Son relationship. He sends the Holy Spirit to console and to counsel, to set us “on fire” to do God’s Will. Right now, here on earth, for each of us, uniquely personal. WOW … no one could have figured this ending to the “story.”
I’m excited about this new life! But let’s look for a moment what’s happening around us: the world economy sucks, President Obama is hurting more than helping this country, people are depressed, unemployment is a staggering 9.7 percent, the GWOT rages on in both Afghanistan and Iraq – our troops are risking their lives each day for our freedom, Headline news still tells the tales of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, fires, death & destruction, etc. Where do people turn for relief? March Madness – Does Duke winning the title put food on our table? Major League Baseball, the pro season has started – 165 games from now, will baseball save my soul or bring about world peace? The NFL Draft – my Eagles are finally getting rid of Donovan McNabb (probably should have 5 years ago) and are hoping to build a powerful new team by player trading and choosing new players during the upcoming draft – who cares? … I will watch football every Sunday next Fall, yet it will not better my life in any way. It’s an eight billion dollar industry but will not put a single dollar in my pocket, provide for my family, or put a roof over our heads.
There is a glimmer of hope though: Jesus Christ has died for us, and is Risen from the dead to bring us all to new life. Is life tough? Yes. Do we suffer injustice, hardship, inequality? Yes. Are we subjected to toil, labor and suffering? Yes. BUT Jesus has shown us the way to peace, the way to freedom, the way to happiness, the way to holiness. He has called us, each of us to follow him … the simple beckoning, “Come follow me.” Say yes, take the first step, follow Him today! -jdpater
Mind of a Mendicant Marine 