After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven,
approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men.
Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.”
(Matthew 28:1-6a)
My dear friends in Christ,
A few weeks ago, I spent much of my Monday at Wellesley Middle School. The sixth graders are doing a unit in Social Studies on world religions. You may not be surprised to hear that I was on a panel representing Christianity! Along with a Greek Orthodox priest and a Protestant minister, over the course of four periods, we gave presentations on our Christian denomination, highlighting both unique elements of our traditions as well as the many more beliefs and practices we share in common. Then the students were given the opportunity to ask questions. This was by far the most interesting part of the classes. I found it particularly fascinating as we fielded questions from students who clearly had little knowledge of Christianity outside of this social studies class. It allowed us Christian leaders to see our faith from the perspective of those who had never before heard the Gospel.
I commend the chair of the Social Studies Department at WMS for inviting us so that the students could hear about Christianity from the perspective of believers. They will be afforded the same opportunity to interact with leaders from the Jewish and Muslim communities. In our increasingly polarized society, an understanding of others’ beliefs and cultures can build bridges of mutual respect and understanding. Our interaction also highlighted that all people are in search of truth, beauty and meaning in life. I was more than impressed that sixth graders posed to us two major existential questions: Why is there so much suffering in the world if God is all good and all powerful? and What happens to us when we die? I must say that I had grossly underestimated these twelve-year-olds in their ability to reflect on the big questions.
Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ other disciples had all their hopes crushed as they saw Jesus tortured and murdered before their eyes. How would they go on without the one in whom they had placed all their hope? And yet, death did not have the final word. As the angel spoke in front of the empty tomb, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.”
Good Friday and Easter speak directly to the young students’ questions. While innocent human suffering remains a mystery, for Christians it is inextricably linked to the mystery of the cross. In the face of innocent human suffering, God is not indifferent or aloof, but rather in Jesus has entered into its depths. But death and suffering would not have the last word. Christ’s resurrection unleashes the promise of eternal life. But it is also a present reality. The Risen Christ is with us now! He is with you always both in your joys and your struggles. And He calls each of us to be instruments of his love and compassion to a broken world. How is Jesus now calling you to bring his love to those around you? How is he calling me?
At the Easter Vigil, the church is in total darkness as the priest enters with the light of the new Easter Candle as the only source of light. As that light is passed from candle to candle, person to person, the dark church is soon filled with a heavenly, sublime light. May the light of the Risen Christ shine forth in our lives bringing hope, love and peace… to our troubled world, to our country, to our community, to our families. Christ is risen! Truly risen! Alleluia!
Much love in the Risen Christ,
Fr. Jim