Heading into this Easter, it was hard to imagine rejoicing. I kept wondering instead, what is this world coming to?
Holy Week was full of ominous news. Two of my relations were caught in the attack on Belgium’s airport, close to the blast. Miraculously, they escaped with injuries that will heal—although how they heal from what they saw, I do not know. Then there was the news of four Sisters of Charity murdered, their priest kidnapped and (unconfirmed) rumors he’d be crucified Good Friday. Whether those rumors were true or not, with ISIS it certainly sounds plausible. What is the world coming to?
The world is coming to a place like the world into which Our Lord was born. Politicians were not “for the people” then, they were capricious and dangerous. Babies were killed en masse when a child said to be king was born. The main roads into town were lined with hanging corpses. A man ruled innocent was killed anyway, tortured, because the mob wanted him dead.
It was into a world like ours that Jesus was born.
It was a world like ours, with all its sin and fears and horror, that he took on his shoulders so it could be nailed to a cross.
And it was a world like ours that woke up Easter morning to the startling, amazing news that none of the horror of the preceding days had any permanent power at all.
The Church gives us these words from St. Paul to dwell upon today, in the Second Reading:
Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory (Col 3:1-4).
Meditate on that today. Plant it in your heart, allow its truth to soak into your soul:
You were raised with Christ — Already. Through baptism into his death, “you have died” already. “Your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Nothing any man can do to you or yours can change that fact.
Seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God — The right hand of God is his throne. He is ruling now, he is bringing all things under his feet. He became like us and died so he could “deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” (Heb 2:15). If that describes you, afraid of death, afraid of sorrow and pain to the point of bondage: you have been freed!
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth — Don’t obsess over bad news, over a world that seems to be spinning out of control. Instead, rejoice! The Lord is near. He’s not a dead first century prophet we revere in memory; he is a living source of hope. Take your mind off the things of this world and set it on the One who is a still point above the chaos. Allow him to reset your perspective, to help you see the reality behind the circumstances. Tyrants will always be with us. They will rage against the good and good people will be caught up in their terror. BUT GOD. But God! In Christ, he has turned even the worst they can do, into the door to eternal life and glory.
St. Peter wrote to “exiles in the dispersion”—Christians dispersed throughout the Roman world who were subject to ongoing persecution—of the “living hope” we have because of the Resurrection:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls (1 Pt 1:3-9).
These words are just as true today. The Lord lives … Alleluia!
Sarah, my friend,
The rumors have come to light that of the Sisters of Charity were murdered and their priest, Father Tom who was kidnapped and now confirmed that he was crucified on Good Friday by ISIS. This reminds me of the teachings in the Gospels of Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Even though both you and I were both not present at Jesus’ crucifixion, our faith leads us there every Good Friday when we are reminded of His sacrifice at the hands of His own followers that He feed and listened as He taught on the hill side. Zealots are still alive today, but with a different radical belief as it was more than two thousand years ago with people who wish to use lawless power to conquer people who spread the Truth in the Word of love and peace. I pray that your relatives quickly recover physically, but mentally will take some time to overcome the tragic images that are imprinted in their minds and hearts. May their faith in Jesus Christ replace those images with His love and mercy. “But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” Roman 6:8.
Your brother in Jesus Christ,
Reed
Thank you for the update, Reed.
May God have mercy on us all.
Hi Reed. The original reports from Austria Media were not confirmed, so as far as we know Fr. Tom is still alive. Please pray for him and his safe release.
David, I pray you are correct and I will contact my friend who is in Rome trying for Father Tom’s release. Many sources have conflicting status reports on Father Tom’s well being.