Understanding the Past

We all engage in an activity, which we might call bringing the past up to date. We review the past in the light of a new experience, and in the process we begin to make sense out of our story. Certain people and events in the past may not have meant very much to us, but in the light of what’s happening now takes on a new and deeper significance. We begin to see how our previous history contains pointers to our present situation, how everything is connected. Everything falls into place and makes sense. As the Apostles experience the Risen Lord, they can now revisit the past with the new light and the new love that they have experienced. They take the light of Easter Sunday back into the darkness of Good Friday, and everything looks different from this new vantage point. Only the Risen Jesus makes sense of everything that went before. In his appearances to his disciples – his works, the breaking of bread, the wounds in his side, hands and feet, bring the past up to date. The past has meaning in the light of the great truth that Jesus is risen and is Lord.

As we gather each week to celebrate the Eucharist, we too listen to the word of God and break bread together. Jesus comes among us not as a stranger; rather he comes to us in word and sacrament to give us new hope to face the future with him. Like the apostles and disciples our faith may be weak and our hope dim. Our lives may be full of disappointments and sadness. Our past may make little sense to us. But like the disciples we too are invited to tell our stories to the Lord, then to listen to him as he speaks to us and to recognize him in the breaking of the bread. Then we will look to the past with understanding and to the future with hope.

Faith

Our Christian Faith does not promise that we are a people chosen for exemption from pain and suffering. It holds no promise of trouble-free life of easy comfort. It grants us no immunity from evil and its consequences. It makes no exception to the rule of God’s judgment. Rather, our Christian Faith provides us with the spiritual equilibrium and the moral stamina we need to face up to the burdens and the fears and the evil days that overtake us – often in the most unexpected ways. With eyes of Christian Faith, we see things as they are in the light of things as they will be. With eyes of Christian Faith we see our own culpability for things as they are and our own responsibility for things as they will be.

A special word of appreciation to all who helped to make our Holy Week and Easter celebrations extra special – especially our Prayer & Worship Decorating Committee, the Adult Choir and Musicians, the Youth Choir, the RCIA Leaders, the Knights of Columbus, all Liturgical Ministers, and all those who donated to our Easter baskets for the children. Your outstanding efforts helped to make this Easter holiday unique and a beautiful worship experience for all!