Through the eyes of our crucified Saviour we see the world which he redeemed with his blood, desiring that those in whom he continues to suffer will know also the power of his resurrection (cf. Phil 3: 10).
OMI Constitutions and Rules, Constitution 4
Icon written by Lauretta Agolli for the US Mazenodian Family
After journeying with him through the sad event of his Passion, after weeping over the torments that our sins made him endure, how consoling it is to see him rise triumphant over death and hell, and what gratitude must fill our hearts at the thought that this good Master has really willed to make us sharers in his resurrection, destroying the sin that is in us and giving us a new life.
Eugene de Mazenod to his mother, 4 April 1809, EO XIV n 50
“We announce the liberating presence of Jesus Christ and the new world born in his resurrection”
OMI Constitutions and Rules, Constitution 4
I awoke this morning to find myself singing silently within my heart “He is risen, he is not here… He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!” Easter Sunday! As I got up and headed here to sit in this place the song changed: “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me… I arise today…” There is within both the sounds of triumph and I sit with no small amount of wonder, Easter wonder.
How do we celebrate Easter today without Church, our family and the sacraments? I remember when I was very young how my grandmother would make us little Easter treats that were better than all the chocolate in the world. Using Bran and sugar she would create little nests and in the nests were a couple, perhaps even as many as four jelly beans. A nest for each one of us. By some miracle we would manage to stretch these little gifts out over the course of the whole day.
It is only now that I am able to focus on Constitution 4. Those little Easter nests made of ordinary cereal bran seen through eyes transformed with unexpected joy: “Through the eyes of our crucified Saviour we see the world which he redeemed with his blood, desiring that those in whom he continues to suffer will know also the power of his resurrection.” (C4)
This Easter in the midst of COVID19 lockdown, isolation and fear, somehow seeing things a little differently this morning.
I think of Mary as Jesus Resurrected appears to her in the garden and who runs to share her joy with her friends, with his friends and followers. “We announce the liberating presence of Jesus Christ and the new world born in his resurrection” (C4)
There is within me a sudden stillness as I remember how as a little girl I would run to my younger sister and brothers so that we could take delight in each other’s Easter nests.
“Christ when I arise… Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me. I arise today…”
There is from within the hope that in the small and hidden ordinary of this day that there will be moments of opportunity to share the light of our Risen Christ.
A very Blessed & Joyous Easter to all!