St. Monica…The Secret of Motherhood

“…You were within me but I was outside myself…You were with me, and I was not with you…You have called, you have cried and you have pierced my deafness.  You have radiated forth, you have shined out brightly and you have dispelled my blindness.” – St Augustine

Amidst all the secular commercialization of Mothers’ Day and the more popular association of this blessed day with the Blessed Virgin Mother, I will simply reflect on the simple life journey of St Monica this time.


Perhaps, this familiar Saint also reminding me of my late relative nun, who embraced the Franciscan Spirituality in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi to follow Christ more closely and intimately for the rest of her life; 61 years of obedient service.  She had also served as the Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, Malaysia; even had the blessed opportunity to meet Pope John Paul II in Rome.


Saint Monica was born, in 322, of Christian parents in North Africa.  Her parents selected a husband for her.  At seventeen, she married Patricius, a forty-year-old pagan Roman official, known for his dissolute habits, unfaithfulness and violent temper.

It was not a happy marriage and Monica turned more and more to her religion for strength and patience to bear his abuse, his criticism and his anger.  His only ‘virtue’ was that he did not beat her.  (She pointed out to other complaining wives that often, their sharp tongues were more to blame for the beatings they got than their spouses’ ill tempers.)


To add insult to injury, her cantankerous mother-in-law, who taunted her and told lies about her, lived with them.  But Monica ignored the indignities they heaped on her, and practiced good works instead, giving to the poor and helping the sick while, still caring for her family. Monica and Patricius had three children – Augustine (brilliantly clever but was a source of constant worry for Monica), Navigus, the second and a daughter, Perpetua.

Simply through her patience and prayer, she was able to convert Patricius and his mother.  She was widowed and for many years, prayed for the conversion of Augustine, who from the time he went to study in Carthage when he was seventeen lived a wayward life, abandoned the Christian faith and embraced Manichaeism, dabbled in other philosophies and had a mistress with whom he lived for fifteen years and despite never marrying, bore him a son.

Monica discovered the way of life of Augustine and was simply heartbroken.  She began her prayers for his conversion, her tears, vigils and fast which would last seventeen years.

She followed him to Rome, prayed constantly for him to turn to God, and then to Milan where he embraced Christianity and was baptized on Easter of the year 386 at the age of thirty-three by St Ambrose. (Her son became so strongly drawn to the faith that he was eventually canonized as St Augustine.) She lived with him in a community life of prayer and meditation.

She died in Italy, on the way back to Africa.  Augustine closed her eyes, restrained his grief in public, but wept unabashedly in private “for a mother who for many years had wept for me, that I might live, O Lord, in thee…”

St Monica is the patroness of married women and regarded as a model for Christian mothers; especially of all parents whose young are off today on a scary adventurous roller coaster journey through life.


I trust that many parents today, especially mothers, can relate to this; facing similar challenges and problems.

However despairing Monica must have felt, she never ever gave up.  She realized that she could not do everything on her own and was not afraid to ask others for help, even when it embarrassed her.  As we recall how St Monica persevered, I also remember how my auntie nun would pray for me throughout my life especially during my exams, ‘formed’ me through her letters and spiritual books; never fail to offer a simple Eucharistic Mass for me on my birthday.  Now, with her ‘higher’ connections, I pray that she will continue to do the same for my remaining journey.


The story of St Monica, reaffirms for us today that, with God, all things are possible!  In the remaining week leading to the Mothers’ Day weekend, embraced by the joyful Easter season, we remember our mother, our spouse, the gift of motherhood to humanity, as we pray…

O Lord, who taught Monica to persevere for the good of her family, help me to be a better parent to my children.  Help me to have patience with them when they misbehave and give me the strength to guide them gently to the right path.  Permit me always to forgive their misdeeds and keep me from speaking harshly or punishing unwisely.  Please help me to be a beacon of goodness for them as they grow to adulthood and to be a good example to them in all that I say and do.  Amen.

“Bury my body anywhere; it does not matter.  Do not let that disturb you.  This only I ask - that you remember me at the altar of God wherever you may be.”

- St. Monica to her sons as she lay dying far from home

This World...Tired of Faith?...

I opened the newspapers today and saw, splashed across the front pages...the headlines...


President Barack Obama announced, “Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world, the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda…  Over the last 10 years…the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority… After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war.  …Americans understand the costs of war.  …Today, at my direction, the United States launched…killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body. …today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.  …Let us remember that we can do these…because of who we are…under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” – CNN

 

Words can not describe my thoughts.   Speechless....as I reflect quietly on this event...joyful, for some...tragic, for the rest...


“Pilate said to (Jesus), “What is truth?”…” (John 18:38, NAB)

Just not so long ago, on Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI asked whether Western society has lost interest in the Christian faith that shaped its culture.  The people of the Western world now seem to be “to a large extent a people of unbelief and distance from God.  Is it perhaps that the West, the heartlands of Christianity, are tired of their faith?”

In the Urbi et orbi (to Rome and the world) message for this Easter, Pope Benedict XVI shared that on the day of the Resurrection, when heaven rejoices and “all is peace and gladness”, this “is not so on earth!

Here, in this world of ours, the Easter Alleluia still contrasts with the cries and laments that arise from so many painful situations: deprivation, hunger, disease, war, violence.  Yet, it was for this that Christ died and rose again!”

Are the actions of governments taken today, in the name of counter terrorism, shining examples of faith?  Well, I am in absolutely no position to comment on this…not having been there during the 9/11 attacks…not there when the Twin Towers collapsed to the ground…Ground Zero…not seeing the rescue workers, inhaling the toxic fumes, digging the mangle of steel and concrete…trying to save lives.

As part of the one human race, created in the image of God, it saddens me that during this Holy Easter season, after journeying through the 40 days of Lent…the Holy Week…witnessing how Jesus journeyed the Via Dolorosa, washed the feet of His disciples, agonized in the Garden, and freely died on the Cross to redeem humanity, we still hear the clear echoes of “Crucify him, Crucify him!”...we continue to witness the scourging of human dignity in the world today...we witness political superpowers playing judge and "God".

Well, has the 10-year pursuit and killing of this one symbol of terrorism, put a closure to this continuous destruction of human lives?  Has this brutal act of an-eye-for-an-eye, heal the wounds of humanity?  Put a closure to the pain?  Brought back lost lives?  Has the lost of this one life and sacrifice of so many other innocents made this world a safer place??  Has selfish political agenda triumph over humanity again?  What is it that is truly terrorizing the world today??

We take some quiet time and simply ponder on Scriptures...

“But understand this: there will be terrifying times in the last days.  People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious, callous, implacable, slanderous, licentious, brutal, hating what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, as they make a pretense of religion but deny its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NAB)

“…wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.” (James 3:17-18, NAB)

“Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19, NAB)

We must remember that vengeance, if any, belongs to God alone, who always judges with ultimate fairness and equity.

This Easter season, as we recall the Divine Light that dazzled the guards at Jesus’ tomb, we must also ensure that this Light, traversing time and space, continue to shine through our lives today, as pilgrims on this earth, journeying home, lighting up the darkness of death and bringing about in this world the true splendor of God.

As finite human beings, we will not have the answers to many questions and sufferings but we simply know that innocent Jesus suffered as we do, in fact, so much more on the path to Golgotha, and He will always be faithfully by our side to help us, to heal us...to be our companion throughout this journey.

“Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.  But whoever does the will of God remains forever.” (1 John 2:17, NAB)

“…Father, forgive them, they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:34, NAB)

Divine Mercy Sunday…A Refuge for Sinners…

The spirituality of Pope John Paul II was deeply influenced by the devotion to the Divine Mercy.  Even as the Archbishop of Krakow, Poland, he promoted the beatification of Sister Faustina Kowalska and on the occasion of her canonization in April 2000, he announced that the Second Sunday of Easter would be the Feast of Divine Mercy.

Fourteen times in the Diary of St. Faustina (Divine Mercy in My Soul), Our Lord was quoted as requesting a “Feast of Mercy”.  This was why Pope John Paul II proclaimed, “I give thanks to divine Providence that I have been enabled to contribute personally to the fulfillment of Christ's will, through the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy”.  Our dear Lord insisted that it be celebrated on a specific day - the Sunday after Easter!

This same Second Sunday of Easter, we will also have great joy in celebrating the solemn beatification of Pope John Paul II - on the very day in which he himself wanted the whole Church to fix her gaze and prayers on this Divine Mercy; this same Mercy also available to us through all the Holy Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church.

Jesus Christ left all the details for the whole world, in a diary that He commanded Saint Faustina to write, back in the 1930’s.  She was chosen to document everything that Jesus wanted mankind to know about His mercy before He returns to judge the world.

In order to receive this great promise of complete forgiveness of all sins, one has to go to Confession and then receive Holy Communion on this Feast of Divine Mercy, which is now known as Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the whole Church.


Jesus said, “Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” (Diary, 300)


The promise for a complete forgiveness of all sins and punishment on Divine Mercy Sunday was made by Jesus, extended even to the most terrible of sinner imaginable.  God in His great mercy is giving mankind a last chance for salvation.

This Easter season, we remember that on the evening of His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His Apostles and the first thing that He did was to give them the power to forgive sins (John 20:19-31).  This same power has been transmitted and handed down through the various generations of the Church in the form of the Sacrament of Confession.


Most of us probably have not spent much time thinking about the future.  Why worry?  In all our worldly pride, some might even be complacent enough to think that they are so brilliant and successful in this life; everything is under their control.

But then, what is all these ‘worldly’ successes, compared to eternity?  Very often, the father of lies, Satan, has everyone focused on this life so much so that people are not thinking about what happens in the eternal life.


How often have you reflected on where you are going to spend eternity?  One thing is certain, we will all be there for quite a long, long time.  Today, many are proud and do not believe in the fires of Hell.  Unfortunately, those are the ones that usually will end up there for eternity.


Be wise today, be humble; think about it and believe, as we reflect on the words of Sr. Faustina…


“I, Sister Faustina Kowalska, by the order of God, have visited the Abysses of Hell so that I might tell souls about it and testify to its existence...the devils were full of hatred for me, but they had to obey me at the command of God, What I have written is but a pale shadow of the things I saw.  But I noticed one thing: That most of the souls there are those who disbelieved that there is a hell.” (Diary 741)


“Let the sinner know that he will be tortured throughout all eternity, in those senses which he made use of to sin.  I am writing this at the command of God, so that no soul may find an excuse by saying there is no hell, or that nobody has ever been there, and so no one can say what it is like...how terribly souls suffer there!  Consequently, I pray even more fervently for the conversion of sinners.  I incessantly plead God's mercy upon them.  O My Jesus, I would rather be in agony until the end of the world, amidst the greatest sufferings, than offend you by the least sin.” (Diary 741)

Therefore, wake up...pilgrims of the world…turn back and repent of your sins, this might just be the last hope of salvation!  Learn from the beloved disciple named Thomas, who put his finger in the wounds of Jesus, doubted no more and instead confessed out, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

From the death bed of Pope John Paul II, we also remember these last written words that he had prepared to be read on Divine Mercy Sunday; the day after his passing.  They were read, as follows, directly on Divine Mercy Sunday:


“As a gift to humanity, which sometimes seems bewildered and overwhelmed by the power of evil, selfishness, and fear, the Risen Lord offers His love that pardons, reconciles, and reopens hearts to love. It is love that converts hearts and gives peace.


How much the world needs to understand and accept Divine Mercy! Lord, who reveal the Father’s love by Your Death and Resurrection, we believe in You and confidently repeat to You… Jesus, I trust in You, have mercy upon us and upon the whole world. Amen.”
 As the Chaplet of Divine Mercy goes…

“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.”


“Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”


“Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have Mercy on us and on the whole world.”

The doubting Thomases is each of us must be touched by Jesus, through His Holy Sacraments, on this special Sunday of Divine Mercy.  Let us make it a point to be present for Jesus, to reach out and touch Him today and everyday...
 



The Royal Wedding...A Reflection...

“Fear not to accept Christ in your daily work. Fear not to accept Him in your “world”. Then this world will be really human.”
Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II did not shy away from modernity…technology.  Instead, he embraced and challenged the secular culture on its own turf…writing books, staged the World Youth Day Rallies across the world, wrote encyclicals like “Evangelium Vitae”.  Be not Afraid…Totus Tuus (totally yours)…signifying his devotion to Mother Mary and his belief she was with him, guiding him, watching over him, as pope, leading the Church; His Bride.  As the saying goes…‘to Jesus, through Mary’.


In the present age of artificial secular successes, chaos, temptations, discrimination, struggles, sex, corruption, injustice, power and information overload, we too, must take time to soothe the mind, balm the heart and feed the soul.


“In some parts of the world voices are being raised against what is seen as domination of the media by so-called Western culture.  Media products are seen as in some way representing values that the West holds dear and, by implication, they supposedly present Christian values.  The truth of the matter may well be that the foremost value they genuinely represent is commercial profit.” (Pope John Paul II, Communication and Technologies)


As humans, we are all born equal, in the image of God, and we must constantly seek spiritual understanding as to how we relate to ourselves, to others and ultimately, to God - the Source of all life.

Regardless of our position, rank, wealth, royalty or personality, we should always live our lives simply and humbly, knowing where we stand before our Creator, finding comfort and guidance in Him alone…being faithful to His teachings.

Of late, we have been swarmed by the media with the hype and fuss of the so-called “royal” wedding between Prince William of Wales (William Arthur Philip Louis) and Miss Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Middleton…the protocols, the security, controversial wedding invites, selective guest lists, the ceremony, the jewels, expensive outfits, open carriage, the transformation of a commoner to a woman who will one day be Queen.

We must remember that this was the same media or clan of paparazzi, that sang the same tune at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Di, the same media that stirred up the so-called tragic affair of the Princess of Wales…played up the divorce of the Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York…“commercial profit” reporting, says Pope John Paul II.  Does all this help us transform and become more human in our journey home to our Father in heaven?


Rather than be seduced and drowned by these commercial media glamour and values, we go back, instead, to the first miracle at Cana marking the commencement of Christ's public vocation as the Redeemer - the beginning of the “Hour”, which was finalized with His Passion and Death at Golgotha…ultimately, the joy of the Resurrection in Easter.


This familiar short narrative, as ‘reported’ by St John, tells us that Mother Mary was the first to notice that the wine had run out and intervened; a metaphor of our own human needs today.


“When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”” (John 2:3, NAB)


Traditionally, wine is symbolic of “joy” and having wine run out equates to the challenges all married couples face today - sadness, conflicts, lack of trust, loneliness, unfaithfulness, impatience, financial difficulties, extended families pressure, work stress, inability to have children, infidelity…  What has become of this holy Sacrament of Marriage?


This Gospel reading appropriately reminds us of the value and trust we must place upon the jewel of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession for the joy and unconditional love of all married couples…the everlasting unity, faithfulness, forgiveness, guidance and happiness of all marriages.


“His mother said…, “Do whatever he tells you.”” (John 2:5, NAB)

Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana reaffirms to us today of the sacredness, royalty and prime goodness of the Sacrament of Marriage; a reminder to all married couples to remain faithful and become an effective sign of the presence of Christ in the world today.

We are reminded that marriage is a covenant “by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership for the whole of life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1601).


Christians get married like anyone else in the unique cultures where they lived.  Christians must see that the loving union of a husband and wife, in covenant with God, mirrors not only family values but also about God's values.

In this Easter season, we pray for all married couples that this sacrament of union continue to be transformed by Jesus, to reveal more fully the faithful Love of God.

The Second Vatican Council reminds us that the marriage covenant exists not only for the good of the partners and their children, but also for the good of the Church and the good of society at large. (Church in the Modern World, #48)

With this, we also pray for the union of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton that their love for each other and the fidelity of their commitment, continue to become a sacramental sign and witness of God’s love for the world we live and journey in.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous…not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.”

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NAB)

Read A Book...This Easter

This book presents the spiritual journal of a Trappist monk, Father Basil Pennington, as he travels across the Holy Land.  This was to be Father Basil’s last book before he died in a tragic car accident; the manuscripts of this book were subsequently discovered on his desk.



Father Basil was one of the three original proponents of Centering Prayer, teaching this ancient form of prayer to a world hungry for God - the ‘fruits’ of this centering is most evident throughout his writings.


Join Father Basil as he shares his deep and prayerful experiences visiting the Holy Land, from the hill country of Nazareth and Cana, down to Lake Capernaum and Tabor, through desert shrines and the mystical Qumran, in the holy city of Jerusalem, on Mount Sinai and back to the beginnings of the Christian story, to Bethlehem.


This very personal spiritual journal highlights the precious solitary times where Father Basil would sit quietly to reflect, to listen, to practice lectio divina on appropriate Scriptures at each of the sacred pilgrimage site; these reflections forming the context of all his narrations.  He carries along with him, his faithful companion, The Jerusalem Bible, with which he hears, contemplates and translates scriptures, at any point of the pilgrimage, so that the original words speak more directly to the experience of his visit to Cana, Capernaum, including Tabor - the Mount of Transfiguration, the Sea of Galilee, Bethany and the Via Dolorosa – Stations of the Cross in the Holy City of Jerusalem, not forgetting questions he posed to himself as a contemplative monk; with regards to flight delays, the waiting in transit, service at the mosque, the observance of Ramadan, the various sites, including belly dancing!


Father Basil simply writes of his personal encounters with God – the sight, the smell, the taste and the feel of the sacred land.  He shares his ‘awareness’ in the land where the three Abrahamic faiths dwell.  Arriving in Nazareth, he wrote, “We sat in silence for a long time…losing ourselves in reality of the Presence here and now within us…nothing greater we can do with our lives than be another life for the Word, bring his presence and redeeming grace to our lives today.”


The monastic side shared by Father Basil is very down-to-earth, human and ever present to the surroundings.  He always finds the time to read, think, meditate, pray and write.  He also shares honestly of his fears, whether negative or judgmental, his longing and unworthiness, including the quiet times he took to ‘center’.

Through this 170+ pages book, Father Basil models for us the need to give ourselves over completely to God’s will.  In his own words towards the end of this pilgrimage, he writes, “…The only thing that makes sense is to do what God wants of me….”  This last book of Father Basil is a recommended read for the Easter season. It also includes the exclusive funeral homily by Father Thomas Keating.

Books are available from Thriftbooks (free shipping) or Amazon.com

Remember...We are Easter People...

The 40 days journey through Lent 2011 has passed…the Holy Week, too…all the events of the solemn Triduum behind us…Easter Sunday celebrations over and simply gone…



What now?  We go back to business as usual...back to the grind…back to our own lives…financial worries, unemployment, sickness, terminal diseases, exams, 'Hollywood' marriages, indifferent attitude, laziness, injustice, work stress, suffering, discrimination, character assasination, corruption, etc?  Sucked back into the whirlwind tornado of chaos and noise of the world.


How easy we humans forget…  Are we merely an ‘event’ type of people?  How do we sustain our lives…our journey with the flame and light of Easter?


This seems to be exactly some of the thoughts that are running through my human mind these past few days.


I remember almost a year back when I chose, after much praying and discernment, to take a sabbatical from work (the ridiculous stress!)…and found much needed quality quiet time to reflect on my spiritual interior, read many spiritual literature, spent meaningful time with my family…my elderly mother…but most of all, the time to chart my thoughts here…to listen to myself…to listen to God…to allow Him to disturb me in whichever way He chooses…to find more clarity with my life.

It has not been an easy journey of late…surrendering everything to God…trusting Him…waiting for Him to lead…  Easier said than done; the human condition.  The fact remains that…faith alone does not feed the family…fuel your vehicle…pay for your groceries…  Yet, amidst these so-called realities of life, I still feel a deep sense of calmness and trusting in the Lord…I continue to patiently pray and wait…while searching for a suitable income source...or whichever direction He choose to lead me.  Nevertheless, being human, it can get pretty confusing and rough at times...


Reading Thomas Merton’s reflections today reminded me that Divine strength is not usually given to us until we are aware of our own weaknesses and that too, knowing that the strength received is a purely a gift from God.


My own journey through Lent, the Holy Week and Easter has been especially meaningful this time because I have put myself in this most vulnerable situation; some deem it silly, stupid and ‘such a waste’ to ‘throw’ away what is perceived to be a well-paying job.  I choose to think of it as simply finding enough guts to finally empty myself before Him...awaiting for Him to fill me.


At times, I do find it a mystery of God’s love, to be able to gather the courage and faith to finally stand up for what is right, to preserve my own human dignity, rather than to be enslaved by the seduction of money and worldly corporate politicking…at the expense of others.  The relentless pursuit of this whole 'rat race' or 'career advancement' seem to have just evaporated and overcome by the hunger to have to better relationship with God, at this point in my life.


This Easter, I learnt that the Cross is not merely to know my own suffering – it is to know that I am saved by the suffering of Jesus Christ, to be able to experience that I am saved by Him.  To find true meaning to this short life's journey...towards something much greater at the end...in union with God and in communion with all the saints.

Throughout this past year, I am blessed to have been able to experience and truly appreciate the love and comfort of God, through the words, actions, support and love of my family especially, and friends.

It is only through Jesus that our lives are saved – He is truly the Alpha and the Omega…the beginning and the end.  Spiritually, “no man is ever saved by his own suffering”, adds Merton.


Through the contemplation and blogging of my own thoughts, the Via Dolorosa, the Lenten, Triduum and Easter reflections, I have grown and gained more insight into the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ; growing stronger in union with God.  Life can truly become more meaningful and its journey more worthwhile, if we know our God and come into a relationship with Him.


I now know more clearly that it is not by my own mere suffering that I earn God’s love.  God did not create suffering and Saints are not made saints by mere suffering alone.


We need to freely choose to make time to build on our own relationship with God, with ourselves, our families and our neighbors in order to be able to know and experience His love on this short journey through life.


Only then will we, as pilgrims, grow in the awareness that suffering, in the here and now, does not really matter…suffering, in fact, destroys what is not important to our relationship with God.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  We carry the hope in us as we are Easter people...continually refined by the Lord...into His image.


This Easter season, I invite you to contemplate and reflect on…what is it that you love most in life?

As for me, myself and I...this journey back home continues with hope...simply and quietly...meeting more companions along the way...

Easter...The Light Shines Forth...





Imagine this scenario…a person is diagnosed with terminal cancer and is given less than six months to live, another suffers from severe hypertension as a result of work stress…financial difficulties, a family greeted a newborn bundle of joy yet suffering from muscular dystrophy, an elderly parent suffers an acute heart attack, the despised, the marginalized, the outcast, the parent alone in the old folks home, the person who has just lost his or her job…what seems to be the commonality of these tragic and lonely circumstances in a joyful season such as Easter?

For these people, on Easter day, words fail them…hope has abandoned them…they feel Jesus might have forgotten about them.

This perception is compounded by the fact that the commercial and popular Easter message of today carries the familiar images of the Easter egg, the Easter bunny, festive meals, euphoric mumbo jumbo celebrations...  If one googles Easter, images of flowers, chocolates, pastel colors, eggs and bunnies fill the search results.

Churches preach that Easter means there is hope of a silver lining behind every dark cloud…  Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Light has come!  Easter brings meaning only with Jesus being the center of it.  It is only because of Jesus that we have Easter.  If is only because of Jesus that we have life.

For the earlier mentioned people, the empty tomb, the joyful Easter message and the ‘happy ending’ to Lent may not connect so clearly with them; especially given their real life experiences.  To them, they perhaps feel more of the darkness of the tomb, the chill, the cold and abandonment in the tomb, the loneliness and hopelessness.  What then is the true meaning of Easter for us today?

The empty tomb, even the disciples thought that the body has been stolen…the Easter message of the resurrection was not proclaimed in an ever so high profile manner.  Simply reserved and quiet seems to be the way the Easter message is carried.


“Easter brings no escape from suffering and death.  The last enemy is still with us and, in company with Jesus, each individual has to pass through this valley.  For the world there is no escape from injustice, war, grinding poverty, famine and disease.  No magic wand has been waved to banish these things, no divine recipe handed out for their instant solution.

The post-Easter world is still in the hands of frail, confused, sinful people like ourselves who have to use minds and energy to wrestle with its ills.  …The devil, it is said, has received a mortal blow but, dangerous as any wounded beast, still goes about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)…we may in the light of Easter be enjoying the firstfruits, a foretaste of the harvest, but the harvest itself is not yet come.” (Peter Cornwell, On the River’s Edge, p106)


Easter is hence, a timely reminder for us that death will visit each one of us…death will change life…but never will death end life…  Jesus, we know from Easter, gives us the hope to persevere as pilgrims.


At the end of the day, we should not be overly joyful and complacent, thinking that we are now saved, no matter what we do or say.  We are all still pilgrims travelling along the journey…but, as Christians, we live in hope…only in living out this message of hope that we are saved.  This world remains dark, cold, harsh and lonely, unless we reach out and share this light of Easter…

Just like the church on the eve of this great day, where light from a single Paschal candle makes its way through the darkness,….we must remember that the dark shadows still presses upon us…we must ensure that the flickering candlelight we carry remains burning strong and not become vulnerable to the darkness of the world.

Sharing the light of Christ does not mean simply boasting that we are saved at the expense of others.  We cannot carry the good news unless we empty ourselves of human pride…it means taking a humble stance and with simple and quiet confidence reach out and touch the sick, the elderly, the lonely, the abandoned, the victim, the poor, the differently-abled…and offer them hope in Jesus Christ.

Like the appearance of Jesus on Easter, our free, simple and quiet presence must also offer a sign of assurance and hope to others travelling a similar journey through life; relieving them of fear and despair.


Such hope can affect how others cope with the reality of death here and now.  Our light and presence can comfort them, reassure them, accompany them, love them and give them hope.  We are Easter people and we have been called out of darkness into the marvelous light…this Easter, let us choose to do the same as Jesus in everything we do or say...with everyone we meet.


Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Alleluia!  Let us remind ourselves that the resurrection remains a mystery for all of us…not a single Gospel tells us how this had happened.  What we know is that through Jesus, we can have victory over death.  We are vessels of the living presence of the Risen Christ, bringing hope to many others.  Let us also remind ourselves that Easter would not have been possible without a Good Friday...

From this Easter, we will continue our journey with hope for another 50 days towards Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit…

Meanwhile, let the proclaimation of the hymn of praise, the Exultet resounds...in your heart.