Its early Easter morning. Mary Magdalene does not recognize Jesus, but thinks he may be the gardener. Only when he calls her name: “Mary”, does she realize this is her Beloved Jesus? As he says to her: “Go tell the others”, he also calls our name TODAY: “(Your Name), and says, Go tell the others”! To whom is the Risen Christ inviting YOU to share his message of hope to during this challenging time?
This year in particular, we are grateful for the hope of new life as all around us neighbors are offering each other support. Communities are coming together in new ways and families are finding creative ways to connect in the midst of struggle.
As you meditate on this painting, listen to Jesus as he calls YOU by name,… (take the time now to LISTEN)…What will be your response for the healing of all creation?
A Mysterious Alleluia Time… Yes it is Easter Time….. Springtime and the weather is changing, flowers slowly blooming. And yet, it is a strange time to think of singing an Alleluia! It is a time of a global virus crisis that our own country is struggling to deal with.
Stay Home. Stay Strong in Faith and Wash Your Hand.
Simple enough…and yet this Easter time of 2020 evokes fears in us of unsettling human conditions of social distancing…churches, schools, parks, stores all closed with signs that say, “Closed Until Further Notice”. All of this could sink us into some dreadful, sad feelings…we all have our moments sprinkled with tears and deep wondering…Why is this Happening? Where is this crisis taking all of us?
And then we get up “in spirit” and call a family member, a friend in need. We extend our hearts of caring via social media. We do something ordinary and extraordinary…we see life anew through the eyes of Faith, acts of charity and the humble acceptance of trusting that a simple prayer whispered for those who are working in hospital emergency rooms the mail carriers delivering mail every day, neighbors leaving bottles of water at your door without being asked…this is the gift of this Mysterious Alleluia Time.
Together…we will Arise….Together we will not just sing an Alleluia…we will become the Alleluia of ordinary blessings and extraordinary courage shared so that others will have life again.
There will be sacrifices and struggle and great hardships…and for some the deep loss of a dear loved one. Let our Alleluia resound with comfort, consolation and great caring. Let us be for others in spirit and prayer at this time….lifting them up with our compassion and mercy.
Challenges are here we never thought in 2020 would be given to us as a world community. In some way, we will all have to find a new way of living…a new way of connecting, a new way of believing that only Together can we dare to address this crisis with no one left out…All hands. All hearts. All spirits of love and hope are needed.
Alleluia…we will help each other, get up, value kindness, hope, patience, charity, peace, forgiveness. Value life, the earth and the beautiful world God has given to us to share with respect, care and great kindness.
Perhaps this Mysterious Alleluia Time is a hope-filled awakening of arising together.
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without word .” (Emily Dickinson)
In a world where you can do anything….Be Kind.
The happiness of your life depends on the loving quality of your thoughts.
Inhale Courage….Exhale Fear.
This is our Easter Joy of 2020….compassion for one another, sharing a simple gesture of charity, a wave to a jogger on the street, an empathetic gaze for those with tears…..giving and receiving hope in simple ways. Together, we will re-create a world where peace and harmony, caring and love are the threads that will unify and resurrect us all……may each of us celebrate this Mysterious Alleluia Time with our hands folded in prayer saying with great, humble gratitude to one another. Alleluia…thank you for being Jesus love.
Sister Ave has a service dog named Sunshine Yorkie… He is now almost 16 years old and is blind and deaf. He and Sister Ave still deliver care to others. Perhaps his little shirt reminds us all during this virus crisis to have big hearts and care about one another.
It is Holy Week. Let us see the Divine face of Mercy in the ordinary kindness and compassion of one another. If Holy palm is not available this Holy Week… I suggest we raise our own palm (hand) 🖐 in a prayer for all who have lost a loved one in this virus crisis. Let us raise our own holy palm in a gesture of gratitude to all who who continue to serve in hospitals, gas stations, banks, post office, food stores, shelter food pantries, vet animal hospitals, sanitation workers, people in government, faith ministers, teachers and all of us who dare to believe that a phone call, email, card and a quiet whisper of a courageous prayer… is the face of Divine Mercy lived in our world. Be Safe.💕
Sister Ave has a service dog named Sunshine Yorkie… He is now almost 16 years old and is blind and deaf. He and Sister Ave still deliver care to others. Perhaps his little shirt reminds us all during this virus crisis to have big hearts and care about one another.
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