Allow me to tell you about a unique celebration of Easter from the Philippines, where I happily served as a missionary for over five decades.  Filipinos celebrate a ritual, known locally as the “meeting” (encuentro); it dramatizes the encounter of the risen Lord and his mother Mary on Easter morning. 

Popular Pageantry.  Here is how this country-wide popular ritual unfolds.  In the early morning darkness, two processions proceed through the town streets.  An all-male group follows the statue of the risen Christ; the women follow the sorrowful mother (mater dolorosa).  The sober, sad mood of Good Friday dominates the two processions.  Both groups, praying and singing, emerge into the town square where additional crowds are waiting.  They approach the arch of “meeting.”  The first light of dawn is breaking.

A white-clad angel is lowered ever so carefully from the arch.  She intones the Regina Caeli Laetare, Alleluia (Queen of Heaven Rejoice, Alleluia).  As the angel choirs break into their Easter chants, the lead angel removes the black veil and reveals Mary’s joyous face.  Mary meets her risen Son—to the wild, yet prayerful, enthusiasm of the expectant crowd.  Then the Eucharist is celebrated; the faithful hear the Gospel proclamation to become, like the first disciples, witnesses of the risen Lord.

Easter Experience.  The foregoing description of the Easter pageantry in the Philippines is, in fact, eminently faithful to the Gospel narratives; it follows a common five-point pattern that describes the “experience” of meeting the risen Lord.

(1)  There is a mood of sadness, fear, and despondency.  For example, Mary Magdalene weeping; the Emmaus disciples are returning home disappointed.

(2)  The initiative for the encounter comes from Jesus; he comes to Mary, but she thinks he is only the gardener; Jesus “the stranger” walks with the Emmaus disciples.

(3)  There is a greeting of peace and reconciliation.  Jesus says to his disciples: “Peace be with you.”  He personally calls Mary Magdalene by her name.

(4)  The high point comes in the moment of recognition.  The Emmaus disciples recognize Christ in the breaking of the bread; Mary addresses Jesus as “Rabbuni” (Teacher); John exclaims to Peter: “It is the Lord.”

(5)  A mission command from Jesus follows: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.”  “Go, make disciples of all nations.”

Our Experience.  This five-point biblical pattern, found in the Filipino celebration, is a paradigm of our own Christian experience.  We often walk in darkness, failing to recognize Christ’s presence among us; he calls us by name to acknowledge his living presence; we need Word and Sacrament (the Eucharist) to heal our blindness; when we recognize that he is risen and alive, we are impelled into mission to announce the Good News to all.

Easter Greeting.  Indeed, Easter is all about meeting the crucified-risen Lord and keeping his personal presence alive in our lives.  May you continue to have a deep “encounter” with the risen Lord!

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Easter Sunday

My tears of sadness and broken heart

echo throughout the ages from Jerusalem

to my sorrowful home where the absence

of loved ones and departed friends

overshadows any hope of joy returning.

As the first rays of the new day break

through the darkness of endless night

an Angel in dazzling white asks:

“Why seek the living among the dead?”

Mary Magdalene’s mournful plea

resounds and echoes in my empty heart:

“Have you taken the body of my Lord?”

and then, against all hope or reason,

I hear a stranger call my name

pronouncing it full of love as no one else.

“My Lord! My Savior! My God!”

I would cling to you forever if I could.

But you, O Risen Jesus, have a mission

for me, your most humble and unworthy

disciple and servant: “go to my brothers

and sisters and share the Good News.”

Make me then your witness Lord,

to the ends of the earth no less than

to my family and friends.

Let my life be my proclamation:

“Jesus is risen! Jesus is with us!”

come, let us encounter him in our service

to others and in the Breaking of Bread.”

Alleluia! Amen!

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M

Photo: Maryknoll Sisters at Selma, March 7, 1965. (Photo courtesy of Maryknoll Mission Archives)

Today on Palm Sunday as the second reading, the Church gives us a beautiful Christological hymn from Saint Paul.  Philippians 2:6-11 speaks about the kenosis, the “self-emptying” of Jesus.  While maintaining the full divinity and full humanity of Jesus, Paul says that Jesus voluntarily condescended and “emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave” (v. 7); he did this in profound humility and freely accepted death on a cross.  God the Father has exulted Jesus through the resurrection: Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world. 

Voluntary Acceptance of Suffering.  Turning to the Apostle Paul, we note that he preached the Gospel by his life and example.  We know that vulnerability and acceptance of the cross authenticate mission.  In imitation of Christ who gave himself up to death—even for sinners (Rom 5:8), Paul considers his suffering for the sake of the Gospel as a participation in the sufferings of Christ (2 Cor 1:5-7).  Paul saw himself sharing in Christ’s kenosis (Phil 2:6-11) as he endured suffering.  Writing to Timothy, he says: “… join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling” (2 Tim 1:8-9). 

Paul recounts his numerous trials in the service of the Gospel; he mentions his imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, travels, robberies, hard labor, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, and nakedness (cf. 2 Cor 11:23-27).  Paul notes, “I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake.  For it is when I am weak that I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10).  Can we like Paul say: “May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14)?

Genuine Leadership.  In a 1977 book entitled Servant Leadership, Robert Greenleaf sought to describe the characteristics of an authentic leader, coining the term “servant leadership.”  However, in the eyes of this world, “servant leadership” is a contradiction in terms.  Why?  Because so often in this world, servants do not lead, and leaders do not serve.  Not so in the world of Jesus!

We all know that Satan’s motto is: “Non serviam.  I will not serve.”  And, those who are under Satan’s spell will tend to “Lord it over others” and “Make their importance felt.”  We need to have the attitude of John the Baptist, who said: “He must increase; I must decrease” (Jn 3:30).  I can only effectively act in imitation of Jesus if I learn the kenosis of servanthood.  In this way, we become authentic models of Christ’s call to generously serve our neighbors, following Paul’s exhortation: “Have this same mind in you that was in Jesus” (Phil 2:5). 

An Invitation.  Friends, during our Holy Week journey, we endeavor to deeply appreciate Jesus’ call to kenosis, voluntary self-emptying, genuine humble service.  We recall the oft-quoted words of Pope Francis: “Let us never forget that authentic power is service”! 

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Palm Sunday

Jesus, Messiah, Savior, Son of God!

with palms and songs of Hosanna

I welcome you into my heart,

and my soul as Lord of my life.

Accept my faults and weaknesses

and fill the void in my heart to overflowing

with your boundless grace and

unconditional love.

Bless my emptiness that it may be

a fitting receptacle of your Spirit.

you who emptied yourself that you might

enter fully into our world of longing and

help me never to be satisfied

with anything less than your love.

I offer you my past, with its wounds;

my present, with its failures and disappointments;

and my future with its uncertainties.

Give me only your love and your grace

and let these be enough for me.

Let me drink fully from the wellspring

of your mercy and make up

with my sufferings whatever is lacking

for my deliverance and salvation.

May the radiance of your Cross

dispel all darkness and doubt

that I might join the saints and angels

in singing your praises forever.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M

Photo: Maryknoll Sisters at Selma, March 7, 1965. (Photo courtesy of Maryknoll Mission Archives)

Today, on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we hear the astounding story of the resurrection of Lazarus.  There is a marvelous amount of detail in this Gospel account!  We learn so much about Jesus, his person, his mission, his compassionate heart.

Authentically Human.  This narrative reveals Jesus’ genuine humanity.  It shows his deep friendship with Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary.  His human emotions are revealed; the Gospel notes that he “was troubled in spirit, moved by the deepest emotions.”  Then, “Jesus began to weep, which caused the Jews to remark, ‘See how much he loved him!’”  Yes, Jesus wept!  Indeed, Jesus is genuinely human, fully sharing our humanity!    

Vatican II expressed the mystery of God-made-man in a beautiful, poetic way: “For by His incarnation the Son of God has united Himself in some fashion with every person.  He worked with human hands, He thought with a human mind, acted by human choice, and loved with a human heart”.  Though divine, Jesus was totally, fully, completely human.

Solidarity in Suffering.  The Gospel tells us that when Lazarus fell ill, “the sisters sent word to Jesus to inform him, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’”  Jesus departs for Bethany.  He is met by Mary who says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would never have died.”  Troubled in spirit, Jesus approaches the tomb of Lazarus, who had been dead for four days.  He asks that the stone covering the tomb be removed.  Then Jesus calls out loudly, “Lazarus, come out!”  Suggestion: Allow your imagination to recreate this scene and reflect upon it!

Opening our Tombs.  Pope Francis, reflecting on this Gospel passage, offers some profound insights.  He notes: “Christ is not resigned to the tombs that we have built for ourselves with our choice for evil and death, with our errors, with our sins.  He is not resigned to this!  He invites us, almost orders us, to come out of the tomb in which our sins have buried us.  He calls us insistently to come out of the darkness of that prison in which we are enclosed, content with a false, selfish and mediocre life.”

Francis continues: “It is an invitation to let ourselves be freed from the “bandages,” from the bandages of pride.  For pride makes us slaves, slaves to ourselves, slaves to so many idols, so many things.  Our resurrection begins here: when we decide to obey Jesus’ command by coming out into the light, into life….  Jesus’ act of raising Lazarus shows the extent to which the power of God’s grace can go….  There is no limit to the divine mercy offered to everyone!”

Imploring Mary’s Assistance.  Pope Francis, concluding his “resurrection of Lazarus” reflection, turns to Mary.  “May the Virgin Mary help us be compassionate like her son Jesus, who made our suffering his own.”  Mary, assist us to become “a reflection of God’s love and tenderness.”

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Mary, Mother of Sorrow and
Mother of Mercy, turn your gaze upon me

Who struggle here below to be true to 

The Way revealed by your Son

Through his life, teachings, Passion, Death

And glorious Resurrection.

Through his holy Incarnation he sanctified

All humanity, and by entering into

The human condition he revealed God’s Glory by weeping at the tomb

Of his friend, Lazarus, and calling him

Forth from the tomb to new life.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

That Jesus might call us from our tombs

Of persistent sins, addictions,

Cruelties and indifference. Extend your Blessed hands of mercy and unbind us

From the bonds of unhealthy habits.

Set us free to live life to the fullest

Unfettered and free, in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M

Photo: Maryknoll Sisters at Selma, March 7, 1965. (Photo courtesy of Maryknoll Mission Archives)

As we read the scriptures during Lent, we should recall that the readings are specifically chosen to be a “catechesis” [faith instruction] for those who will be baptized during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday; we all renew our baptismal promises during that liturgy.  Thus, we ask: What is today’s Gospel (Jn 9:1-41) of the “man born blind” teaching us about our faith and the person of Jesus?

John the Evangelist.  This Gospel writer uses the word “semeia” to describe Jesus’ miracles.  These special deeds are “signs” pointing us to Jesus himself.  Today’s healing of the blind man is a sign of Jesus’ power; it is also a sign of Jesus’ compassion for the needy.  Truly, Jesus’ power is manifested precisely through his deeds of mercy.  Likewise, our acts of merciful compassion manifest God’s love flowing out to others through our lives of generous service.

Some of the Jews refused to believe that the blind man was actually healed by Jesus.  However, the man himself confessed his faith: “I do believe, Lord.”  Jesus added: “I came into this world … to make the sightless see and the seeing blind.” 

First Encyclical.  Reflecting on phenomenal gift of human sight or vision, this writer recalls that first encyclical of Pope Francis was Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), issued on June 29, 2013.  The following are some “points to ponder” drawn from Pope Francis’ spiritual wisdom.

► “There is an urgent need, then, to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim.  The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence” (4).

► “Faith’s way of seeing things is centered on Christ….  Faith does not merely gaze at Jesus, but sees things as Jesus himself sees them, with his own eyes: it is a participation in his way of seeing” (20, 18).

► “Faith’s understanding is born when we receive the immense love of God which transforms us inwardly and enables us to see reality with new eyes” (26).

► “The Eucharist is precious nourishment for faith: an encounter with Christ truly present in the supreme act of his love, the life-giving gift of himself….  In the Eucharist we learn to see the heights and depths of reality” (44).

► “Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey.  To those who suffer, God does not provide arguments which explain everything; rather, his response is that of an accompanying presence …” (57).

► “Mother of Jesus, help our faith!  Open our ears to hear God’s word and to recognize his voice and call….  Remind us that those who believe are never alone…. Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be light for our path” (60).

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

O radient light, O sun divine!

Of God the Father’s deathless face!

Who from the first moment of Creation

Rose up in splendor that all things might

Reveal and reflect your truth, your beauty,

Your majesty and your power.

Protect me from ego, pride and ignorance

That I might never again walk in darkness.

But let the glory of your resurrection

Dispel all evil and error in my mind.

O morning star of love and grace

Light the way I should go and

Bring me into fuller communion

With your saints and angels.

O Son of God and source of life!

May my life be a mirror of your love

To everyone I meet, that even in

The darkest valley of death and despair

Your Cross might conquer all sin

Heal all wounds and raise us all

To that kingdom where you live and reign

With the Father and Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M

Photo: Maryknoll Sisters at Selma, March 7, 1965. (Photo courtesy of Maryknoll Mission Archives)