Let’s be the light of hope, even with the Cross

Easter, 2013

Dear Brothers, Sisters and friends!

We receive the grace once more to celebrate the Solemnity of the Divine Love of God for us, the Death and Resurrection of Our Lord, JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God Who made Himself man for us.

Each is called to commemorate this in our own particular way, as the Lord walks beside each of us as there “are as many paths of prayer as there are persons who pray” (Catechism, 2672).

This reminds us of the Lord’s concern for each one of us, so that, as we say, He “never loses control over us,” and how much less over His Church, and the World! We may get, here and there, now and then, the impression that it could be different, for His patience is great, and is so just, because He wants us to accompany Him in His Passion, as we are also told clearly:

“The Church will enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, when she will follow her Lord in his death and Resurrection. The kingdom will be fulfilled, then, not by a historic triumph of the Church through a progressive ascendancy, but only by God’s victory over the final unleashing of evil.”(CCC 677)

 

We are already strengthened by the fact that “the risen Christ lives in the hearts of his faithful while they await that fulfillment (CCC 655)! Still we might be more strengthened when we think through all the history of mankind and realize: Always, all the more decisive steps were – not made by man, at least not alone, but made by “Heaven,” by GOD and His Angels!

If you want to take the time to look, or just reflect: it started in Eden with our first parents (Gen 3):

Adam and Eve made their decision by the influence of the fallen spirits, then God judged with His Cherubim (Gen 3); mankind was saved in the person of Noah through the mercy of GOD (Gen 6:13ff); Abraham became father of the promise through GOD and His Angels (Gen 12; 15; 18; 22); Jacob confessed to have been freed from all evil by his Angel (Gen 28-32; 48:16) and so it continues with Moses (Ex 3; 12:29; 13:21 e 14:19s; … 23:20-23;…), Joshua (Jos 5:13 and 6), Gideon (Judg 6:12ff) and Samson (Judg 13); David (1Sam 17,41-51), or with just a “private” person as Tobit (Tob 3-12).

This can be seen, similarly, in the New Testament, in the life of Saint Joseph (Mt 1:20f; 2:13f,19), of the Apostles (Act 5:19-21; 12:7ff) and in the life of many Saints, and in ours, even if we do not always perceive it, or make it public.

 

I would like to say this: we know, through GOD, through Divine Revelation, that there is almost no step of importance in History which is not done without the help and assistance of Heaven (also in the history of the small events – but remains unspoken)! This is true also for our time, for my life and yours (cf. CCC 350)!

Therefore, on this occasion of the Easter of Our LORD, on the solemnity of the victory over the cross and death, through His Resurrection, let us be aware that humanity – which we are part of – walks in the “fresh air of Heaven,” where GOD takes us daily at holy Mass!

Consequently we can direct our look, with love, from the present moment, up to the Angels and Saints.

We have to invite the heavenly companions as guides for our daily steps, to not become infected by the bad news of the mass-media. Let’s be the light of hope, even with the Cross (as Pope Francis reminded us, March 14th), and be a witness to the victory of Christ in this dark world to all those without faith.

 

In this way we not only celebrate the Resurrection of our LORD, but our life becomes peaceful with a heavenly perspective!

 

Wishing you the best, giving my priestly blessing, your Fr. Titus OSA