FRIDAY OF PASSION WEEK…
For most Christians this week has been a focus either with special prayers or church services leading up to Easter. Today is Good Friday and we will be reminded of the incredible gift of life we have received. Suffering is a part of all of our lives…either from illness, accident, bereavement , or fear. Suffering is not something anyone wants but it seems to pop up anyway.
I was reflecting how some years past we did the PASSION WALK around the park…remember? Many churches from the county gathered and we sang and prayed, remembering the passion story of Jesus as well as applying the message to our day. One of the key features was that we did it together, the people of God across barriers of gender, ethnicity, and denomination. The bold connection to Jesus made the prayers and readings, the acting out and the reminders so strong. Maybe we need to do that again next year?
Fr. Philip Nolan ,op, says this: “Suffering ,it is said, is the place of the deepest loneliness. Who can know, in all detail, all precision, what another carries? Certainly, as He carried His cross our Lord knew the darkest depths of loneliness…so He did not carry His without Simon…” (MAGNIFICAT, Via Crucis, Holy Week 2023). We help one another as Simon helped Jesus and our burdens become easier to bear. Fear is reduced and loneliness is shattered. Even in the depths another can help us reach out and even touch laughter, often relieving us of some worries.
As the week progresses, we acknowledge the crucifixion and death of Jesus and then, and then on Sunday…like our sign at the end of the Passion Walk said: ‘ here’s the rest of the story: JESUS IS RAISED FROM THE DEAD’ and as St. Peter says in 1Pt2…”by His wounds you were healed.” Now we sing the ALLELUIA and are reminded that we can be overwhelmed with joy, choosing life not death, choosing hope, healing and happiness.
EASTER BLESSINGS.
