‘It’ s good to be aware of the lights about us ...’
IN the Gospel of Matthew, for this coming Easter Sunday, the first words of the Angel to the women of Jerusalem are ones of reassurance, new life, direction and fulfilled hope:
‘ There is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said he would... He has risen from the dead and now he is going before you to Galilee; it is there you will see him.’
In these very clear words, the time of grief and sorrow were declared over for the Messiah’s followers; the days of anxiety and loss for the disciples of Christ were finished.
More than was imaginable - or dared hope for - had happened, the time of testing and torment were over, resurrection had occurred, nothing was lost, all was better than had even been hither, new life, a new day, an eternal one and open to all.
Easter Sunday 2020 bears witness to this abiding reality as it has for centuries. Christ is risen, Alleluia, Alleluia.
That said, the mood music is altogether different this Easter Sunday worldwide.
It is true, we are an Easter people, but is Alleluia our song this year?
Fever and death, at home and abroad, rising numbers infected and succumbing - the stories of loved ones in danger and loved ones lost - the international standstill in which we all experience helplessness - uncertainty is mixed with anxiety - sinking feelings of an extended Good Friday and Holy Saturday - surely a different Easter, a difficult time all round.
This Easter, we are asked to isolate as an act of love and of responsibility. We are aware of issues of loneliness and of unease as distance is respected and required. Much of the road has yet to be walked, nobody is immune to contracting the coronavirus, we are all charges with minimising the danger of carrying it to others.
In the darkness of this time, it’s good to be aware of the lights that are about us - the caring medical people and their assistants in our hospitals; the public officials who discern the best measures and the army of volunteers who constitute ‘community response’; suppliers, drivers, shop assistants and stewards; first responders and suppliers of vital services working from home; parents learning to act as school teachers; thoughtful people who make the warm phone calls to friends and neighbours, the list is endless.
As we celebrate an Easter Sunday different in feel and texture this year, let us remember that we do not celebrate a different Easter in essence or in fact.
At the heart of Easter lies resurrection for the dead, consolation for the grieving, true meaning for those who respond, and hope for those who suffer - a way forward to Galilee for us all!
I would like to leave you with words that I believe are important ones for this time as we continue our journey of trial and of testing. They are simple words, but profound ones:
‘Patience with self is hope Patience with others is love Patience with God is faith.’
- Fr Tomás Halík
May the peace of the risen Christ come upon you and upon those you love. May the power of the risen Christ continue to strengthen those charged with our safety and our care.
And may the consolation of the risen Christ comfort those who grieve and who struggle at this time.
Denis Brennan Bishop of Ferns