When I was a child, I went to Girl Scout Camp at the Laura S. Walker State Park. That’s where I learned to swim. Actually, to this day, I’m more of a dog paddler than a swimmer, but that is where I was officially instructed in water sports. At first, we spent our lake time in the shallow water where it was safe. Truth is, at any moment, if we tired, we could quit our strokes and simply stand up. In those safe depths, we had fun frolicking in the lake, splashing water at one another. But then in my middle school years, the instructor took it up a notch. She told us it was time for the real adventure to begin, time to leave the safe, shallow water, and dive into the deep. It was scary, but it was only then that I truly understood what it meant to swim.
We’ve been on our Lenten journeys now for six weeks. We’ve pondered the readings of the day, sought a deeper understanding of our faith, and through the three spiritual exercises of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we have sought to grow and change. Up until yesterday, Good Friday, we were in the shallow waters, we were making progress, but we were safe.
That all changed yesterday on our journeys. Yesterday, as we stood watch at the foot of the cross with the Blessed Mother, the women who had followed Jesus, and the beloved disciple John, the LORD called us to the true adventure. Yesterday we were invited to dive into the deep end of our relationship with our LORD. As we stood contemplating our Lord on the cross and as we stand today at the stone sealing the tomb where our Lord’s broken and bruised body was placed, we must answer the question He asked us repeatedly. “Who do you say I am?”
Today, “tomb time,” before the sun rises on Easter morn, what will our answer be? How have we really changed since Ash Wednesday? Have we experienced a real conversion of mind and heart, a remarkable experience of drawing nearer to our LORD and in the process to our brothers and sisters? Have we shed those things that have hampered our relationship with our loving LORD as well as those that harm our relationships with our sisters and brothers? Have we grown enough that our faith, our hope, and our love will buoy us even in rough and deep waters?
Today is a day of deep reflection. Let us meet it with courage and honesty. Let us dive into it with hope.
Until tomorrow, love well.
Let us continue to pray for peace especially at this time, this holiest time of the year. Pray that the LORD will send the graces necessary to defeat the evil being actualized in the brutal and barbaric war against Ukraine and its citizens. Pray that the leaders of our free world will finally and fully equip the Ukrainian people and army with the tools necessary to defeat the invaders. Pray that:
Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we come to You seeking your help in building world peace and in ending the violence and aggression of Russia against Ukraine. Show us the way to restore a world order that honors others’ freedom and that unites us as one humanity. Make us witnesses of justice and love so that we might be agents of your will and defuse the division and defeat the hatred. Grant that your will may be done here on earth as in heaven. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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