As I reflect on a tough year, personally, with the death of my younger brother, Eoin Pól, last July, and with the 4th anniversary of my late father’s death (29th March) falling on Good Friday this year (Dad died early on in Pandemic times, and due to the restrictions in place then, had no wake, or Funeral/Months Mind Mass and I was sad this year that I couldn’t remember him on his Anniversary); I felt that I really needed to hear once again the Easter message of hope and joy in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Life can be hard sometimes!
I think of the people I have visited these last few days who are sick and housebound, or in hospital or long term nursing care; I remember those who live on the margins, without the basic necessities of life, like water (this year’s Trócaire appeal), a (proper)home or job;
I reflect on the global situation at the present time – of war and violence – as well as the constant challenges to peace, justice, equality and stability both at home and around the world;
I think of those who are dying – being cared for (in some instances) by family and friends; and I remember those who are burdened by all kinds of worry, anxiety, suffering or grief.
And I remember the dead – those we miss so much, personally, as well as those who were with us this time last year, those who have died so tragically on our roads, and all the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ speaks into all of those situations. It reminds us that all is not lost, that we are not alone, that there is strength and courage given to help us though the difficult times, and ultimately, there is a new life and joy that not only awaits us in the life to come, but that spurs us on – here and now – to strive to make a difference in this world; to light that candle rather than just simply curse the darkness.#
Recently, through the excellent book written by my colleague, Fr. Paul Clayton-Lea, the connection of C.S.Lewis and the wee county was highlighted. Lewis is a favourite author of mine, and I have often dipped into his writings, as I try to understand the travails of this present life.
In one of his essays, Lewis said the following;
Christ has risen, and so we shall rise. St. Peter for a few seconds walked on the water; and the day will come when there will be a re-made universe, infinitely obedient to the will of glorified and obedient men, when we can do all things, when we shall be those gods that we are described as being in Scripture.
To be sure, it feels wintry enough still: but often in the very early spring it feels like that. Two thousand years are only a day or two by this scale. A man really ought to say, ‘The Resurrection happened two thousand years ago’ in the same spirit in which he says, ‘I saw a crocus yesterday.’ Because we know what is coming behind the crocus. The spring comes slowly down this way; but the great thing is that the corner has been turned.
We have the power either of withstanding the spring, and sinking back into the cosmic winter, or of going on into those ‘high mid-summer pomps’ in which our leader, the Son of man, already dwells, and to which He is calling us. It remains with us to follow or not, to die in this winter, or to go on into that spring and that summer.
As we meditate on the events of Holy Week and Easter, let us be thankful that “Christ has risen, and so we shall rise.
http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/reflections-april-2022
The corner has been turned – I love that phrase, and in that context, I wish you all every blessing for Easter and beyond! As we look to the new life that is awakening all around us, let us also see new hope for whatever our personal story may be.
Togher Parish 