April 9, 2010
Reflection
There is no mockery in uniting the faithful
Father Jason Gries and Pastor Rick Grant from the First Christian Church in Vincennes pose together. Click for a larger version.
By ZOE CANNON (Vincennes)
We are now in the Easter Season of our Liturgical calendar. For 50 days, until Pentecost, we will celebrate the Risen Lord. The death of Christ, to some extent, is a paradox. “He died so that we might live.” But no one should ever underestimate the power in these seven words. Reflecting upon the death of Christ is one of the greatest mysteries of all times, and it is the greatest example of love known to humanity — God became flesh and died for us.
In scripture Peter says very clearly in verse 21, “Christ suffered for you.” By this he meant, “Christ bore our sins in his body on the cross.” The Passion of Christ and His final hours are described in a beautiful Catholic devotion called the Stations of the Cross, also called the Way of the Cross; they depict the primary scenes of Jesus’ suffering and death. The object of this devotion is designed to help the faithful spiritually embark on a pilgrimage of contemplation and prayerful reverence, especially during the Easter season. There are fourteen Stations of the Cross; passing from each Sta-tion, with meditation on the various incidents where Jesus was mocked and crucified.
At noon on Good Friday, April 2, for the second year, the Vincennes Ministerial Association organized an Outdoor Way of the Cross for the community. A large crowd of over 250 people joined together in front of the steps of the Old Cathedral, Basilica of St. Francis Xavier. Pastors representing different denominations joined our Catholic devotion and read prayers at the 14 designated lo-cations. People from the crowd took turns carrying a large cross. The one mile route was escorted by city police cars, as the faithful stopped at selected sites for prayer.
The Lenten and Easter Seasons are very significant to the Church, and the sight of this crowd and the command of their presence as Christian be-lievers, was also incredible. For the Pastors of these different churches, it must have been a great witness to the importance of their ministry, to see so many people come to unite in prayer. All age groups were represented. Watching young children as they were trying to comprehend the meaning of it all, and observing the determination of those more graced by years make the long journey, was inspiring. There were many Simons and Veronicas along this route, as we helped one another through the procession, each playing an important role in this religious journey. But like all successful events, this began with the interest and commitment of those inspired and faced with the task of organizing. One of the ministers of the Vincennes Ministerial Association called Father Jason Gries, Pastor of Sacred Heart in Vincennes, and St. Philip Neri in Bicknell, Ind., and Pastor Rick Grant, from the First Christian Church, the “Dynamic Duo.” Their example of dedication to Christ in their ministry is invaluable to our community. Bringing people of faith together outside the church walls and uniting them as one Christian Community is the greatest gift to God on any given day, but especially on Good Friday. The darkest day in history and still the day that brought light into the world. Death, so that we may live, and through so much hatred and suffering came love and peace.
Our world is full of turmoil, when we can put that aside for one hour and join together for the common good of our life with God; we can turn chaos into clarity. Impossibilities be-come reality when we seek God and that is not a mystery, but the greatest example of love known to humanity. And because we still have many weeks to celebrate this Easter Season I close with this beautiful prayer from Pope John Paul ll.
An Easter Prayer
“The right hand of the Lord is exalted, the right hand of the Lord does wonders. I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.” Christ, the Son of the Living God, accept from us this Easter prayer and give us that joy of the new Life, which only you can give to the human heart. You, the Risen Christ. You, our Pascal Lamb!
+Pope John Paul ll
This prayer from such a holy man is confirmation that, “dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life” is not really a paradox but a great doxology! Lord Jesus come in glory! Enjoy this blessed Easter Season. Amen!