Happy Easter!
During the past two months we have lived through unbelievable suffering with the invasion and destruction of the Ukraine. Where is there any hope in this so evil of seasons? Where do we turn when such wanton destruction has been foisted on an innocent country?
At the core of our belief in the resurrection is the conviction that God will triumph over evil. Death and sin does not have the last word in human life. The resurrection means that life will triumph over death.
This is why the celebration of Easter is so powerful. We must bring our sufferings, our disappointments and human evil to the cross of Jesus. There must be a real joining of our tears and pain to the very cross of Jesus. When some of our great spiritual teachers instructed us to take our sufferings and nail them to the cross of Jesus, they were giving some very sound teachings. We must join our sufferings to the very sufferings of God. In the heart of Jesus there was not only his own suffering but he also embraced all the sufferings of humanity. He brought your sins and sufferings with him, with the instrument of the cross, to the very heart of the Father. His sacrifice also included all your tears and frustrations, all your sins and your tears.
The resurrection is the triumph of life over death, good over evil, light over darkness. The resurrection of Jesus means that evil and death will never have the last word.
Now, take this to the invasion by Russian troops of the Ukraine. Out of this unbelievable evil has come forth unbelievable goodness and generousity from countless number of Canadians. Count the number of fellow Canadians who have reached out to refugees; people they have no connection to on a personal level. Look at how the world has opened its heart (and wallets) to the people fleeing for safety!
Put your finger on the pulse of your own heart. Look how you have responded to the plight of these four million refugees. Look how you are concerned about the well-being of the people who live right around you. Your compassion for the refugees and those close to you arise from the same Holy Spirit working within you. Feel the love of God breathing in your lungs as you go out to visit your ancient aunt who in her dementia does not know any of her family. Just your presence and the warmth of your hands on her hands is a sharing of the deep love of God active in this world.
This very black season at the beginning of 2022 is not a crushing blow to life. The resurrection (our Easter attitude) challenges us to live in hope. Look for the many ways that the Holy Spirit is bringing good out of this great evil.
May Easter be a time for hope and life to sprout forth from your own soul. May you have hope amidst the black clouds of 2022.
No comments:
Post a Comment