“Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

This Sunday began the most important week in the Christian calendar, a week that has been depicted in various media throughout the years.  Movies such as Jesus of Nazareth, The Passion of Christ and the Greatest Story Ever Told all tell the powerful story of Christ’s passion and death. In printed media there are books such as Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado, The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ by James Stalker and The Easter Story, a version for children. Successful Broadway shows such as Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar still run every year and Churches all over the world put on various versions of the Passion Play or Living Stations.

This year and probably all of my remaining years, this week will have a special meaning to me. Last October I visited Israel and actually walked in some of the places where Jesus walked during those last few days. We started our trip in Tiberius and then moved on to Jerusalem. The bus driver announced it as we entered the city.  When we arrived we attended Mass at the Chapel at Bethphage, the wall behind the altar has a beautiful depiction of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.  As I stood in Mass yesterday holding up my palm to be blessed, I remembered that painting with all the people welcoming Jesus and waving palm branches. It’s amazing how fast their attitude changed.

As I sit at Mass on Holy Thursday I will have a clear picture of the room in Mount Zion which is believed to be the Upper Room, the room where Jesus and his Apostles celebrated His last supper. The room where He commissioned Judas to do what must be done. This is also the place that He returned to after His Resurrection.  As we have exposition and quiet contemplation after Mass, I’ll remember quietly walking through the Garden at Gethsemane with its beautiful olive trees yet an air of great sorrow. Could I stay awake and pray with Jesus or like the Apostles would I let exhaustion overcome me?

On Friday as I pray, I’ll recall standing in little damp cell where they held Jesus captive, left hanging on the wall awaiting his trial. I’ll remember walking along The Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross). We stopped at each of the stations along the way for a moment of prayer and reflection.  As we made our way through the crowded streets we were heckled and spit upon because we didn’t want to purchase anything, we just wanted to quietly pray. Jesus went through this on a much grander scale by the very people that he was there to save.

As I walked up the steps to the place where the cross once stood, I felt an overwhelming sadness. Although it’s now part of a Church this was once the hill where Jesus suffered and died, where blood and water poured from his body, where he spoke the words,”It is finished.”  I will be thinking about this as I attend the Good Friday service.

When I entered the tomb of Jesus in Holy Sepulcher church, I expected to feel something, a presence maybe, or a whisper of what was contained within. But I didn’t feel much of anything. It was disappointing, not the mystical experience that I was expecting. I attributed it to spending over an hour in line waiting and then being quickly herded in and out without time to dwell on what had taken place there. However, as Easter approaches, I wonder if I experienced nothing because nothing was there. Jesus is no longer in a tomb He is in our hearts. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” With that in mind, when the bells resound and we sing the Gloria at the Easter Vigil, I will do so with joy because I know that Jesus has truly risen and will live in my heart forever.

Giving, Not Giving Up

We’re heading into the third week of Lent, a season of sacrifice, penitence and reflection. It’s usually marked by fasting and abstinence. As I Catholic I’m called to fast twice during the season, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and to abstain from eating meat on Fridays. In addition, most people will also give up something dear to them: chocolate, sweets, cigarettes, swearing, etc.  One of the more common phrases you’ll hear is “What are you giving up for Lent?” No, giving up the vegetable that you hate does not count!  Additionally, many will try to do something positive: extra prayer, giving more to the poor, reading the Bible, even just smiling more when you really don’t feel like it. My one daughter listens only to inspirational music during Lent.

Last year, in Chaos and the Lenten Season, I told you that my positive and productive thing would be to restore order to my office.  I even included a humbling picture. The office was made neater but during the year  the year I watched the open space fill in again as this , that and the other thing found it’s temporary home in that room. If cleanliness is next to Godliness then this room is still a few miles away! So what to do this year that would be more in the spirit of the Lenten season?

As I looked around me, I realized that there is a lot of suffering going on. How many times have we said, “I’ll keep you in my prayers?” Then we say a quick prayer for that person and move on, obligation done. By the middle of January I realized that I had said this numerous times already this year. Knowing that I couldn’t possibly remember all of these intentions, I starting writing them down in a ‘prayer journal’.  

As I said my morning prayers, I visualize the journal page and pray for all included.  I have three friends with close relatives battling cancer, two with relatives fighting kidney disease, someone struggling with serious bouts of depression, friends who are dealing with long-term unemployment and an elderly couple trying to spend their last moments together while one suffers with heart disease and the other is in the end-stages of cancer.  I haven’t even touched on the trials of my own immediate family. Prayers are powerful and I’m sure that the recipients feel God’s healing presence. Sometimes all we can do is put our troubles in God’s hands; but are there other times when we could be doing more to help those in need as well as those who care for them? As soon as disaster strikes, e.g. hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc., we’re usually willing to send to donations or supplies for the cause.  But what about your family member who’s struggling with illness or the neighbor down the street who just lost a spouse? Is there a small comfort that we could extend? The opportunity for grace is all around us.

During this Lenten season why not take the opportunity to reach out to someone that you know is hurting.  Invite them into your home to share a meal or a cup of coffee; maybe take a meal to their home for the family to share. Ask how they’re feeling, most people suffer in silence, simply because no one asks, it’s too uncomfortable. Offer to run an errand for them, maybe pick up some groceries. We all know someone who could benefit from a friendly gesture.  Be that person who extends themselves and then bask in God’s grace and blessing.  You’ll face Easter with a whole new perspective.