EASTER - Overcoming adversity with Jesus of Nazareth alive and
present
(republishing, copying, no restrictions)
By: Father Shay Cullen
Easter is the celebration of life and the triumph of good over evil, right over wrong, joy over sadness. There is so much wrong in our world today, we need the Easter spirit of commitment and service to others to overcome it. We need too the power of Pentecost to help us make Christ present to the poor and the rich and for his words and actions to influence every aspect of human life.
Despite the silly nonsense of Hollywood fantasy movies telling us Jesus was someone other than he historically was, what matters most is the core of his message. This is what captivated millions through aeons - a message once embraced, transformed each true believer. Faith and action for the poor can make Jesus present again to transform the world and bring it closer to the kingdom of justice and love.
Easter is not a passing remembrance of a long departed saviour who promised us eternal life after we die. Easter is when we can realise that the journey to eternal life has to begin in, here and now. Jesus is with us so long as our faith is strong and unshakeable. We prolong his presence in us by caring for and loving others as he did. This is what strengthens our spirit and empowers us to pass through death and live on in a new dimension.
When we believe with all our heart and soul then we can be one with Christ and become God’s instruments to project his presence to the world. We can be powerful beams of light extending his living presence lighting up others, bringing his healing, inspiration and liberating love to others.
Whether saving children from prisons or brothels or from the streets we can see him and know him in these, the “poorest of all”, as he said. No one can claim to be a Christian and just say and do nothing about the suffering and injustice of exploitation and abuse. They will loose the purpose of life instead of finding it.
They need us to “resurrect” Christ and make him real to them in word and service. “I came to serve and not to be served” he taught us. We are called to be with all those who suffer and there we find Him. We have to be with Him in those who work for justice and freedom. They are marked for torture and assassination. They are persecuted just as Jesus and thousands of his disciples have been murdered for protecting life, the creation and human dignity.
The Easter week celebrations have a special significance for me because that's when I remember most vividly the challenge of being a disciple. The special Eucharistic meal as described by John does not mention the breaking of bread or the passing of the cup that makes Jesus present and re-enacts his death and resurrection. Instead John highlights the ‘Washing of the Feet’ and the special commandment of Jesus to, “love one another as I have loved you”, as the additional way to make him present again.
Everybody is somebody; each of us has a God given inalienable right to life and dignity. But increasingly this is being trampled on and people are only recognised as being of value in terms of their productivity. They are wanted only if they have skills and can contribute to making others wealthy. They are treated like that proverbial cog in the wheels of moneymaking machines.
It is the old, sick, and the poor, the marginalised street people, the orphans and widows, unemployed migrants that are frequently branded as worthless and expendable. For these we have to be a prophetic voice crying perhaps in the wilderness, striding through the modern temples, challenging those heartless people in power that oppress and ignore the poor. We have brought Easter and its redemption to the people of the Congo, to Darfur, to starving and Aids ravaged Africa. Above all we must resurrect in others the love and message of Jesus so they are inspired to be compassionate as he was, to care and give comfort as he did. No greater love can we have than to do this for the poor and ask nothing in return. That is the meaning of Easter and the way to eternal life. [End]
