Sunday, April 24, 2011

Choosing Easter

C. has been going through a really rough patch at work recently. She is not alone for a number of my girlfriends have been weathering bad situations, some longer than others.

As Father Arro pointed out today, it may seem like the end of the road when we are faced with crisis, but Easter reminds us that these tough situations may signal new life - unexpected, unplanned for, but not always unwelcome as time will bear out.

We just need to keep on believing, not give in to despair, trust in providence while we work to right the situation with cautious prudence, and by conquering the fear of the unknown that gets the best of even the bravest among us.

The reminder of Easter is powerful for we all need symbols to hold onto and buoy us over stormy seas.

There will always be seasons of loss, persecution, chaos and things bad, but what could possibly be worse than knowing what Jesus knew, and yet choosing to go through it, loving to His dying breath.

Betrayed. Feared, hated and persecuted. Let down by His closest companions. Scourged, ridiculed and crucified. All this the price for loving an undeserving, fickle and faithless world.

And because of that tenacious, fearless love, all is not lost. For only through death could the miracle of the resurrection happen. Redemption.

It's pure magic. Let's not forget this as we move into the octave of Easter. Celebrate!

In darkest night, in deepest grief, you cameAnd turned my world around just when I thought
It crashed, never again to be the same.
All along you never gave up and sought
To win my heart with your gentle wisdom,
Showed me how to live in your Father's kingdom.
And now, the meaning of resurrection
Is etched deep inside, pure revelation.
My problem really is how do I stay true?
Especially when storms threaten to destroy
My composure, beating me black and blue.
Will I remember this moment, this joy?
Choose to honour your sacrifice each time
Make Easter mine; turn the bad on a dime.

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