I finished rereading Romans last night. Chapter 12 is definitely another favorite. There are so many good reminders contained in those passages. Things like how we are all members of the body of Christ and we each have a job to do, to offer our bodies as sacrifices in allowing God to work through us, to not think too highly of ourselves, to use and share our gifts with one another were packed into this rich chapter.
Tonight, a sentence caught my eye as I straightened up some papers. It read, "Each one of us is in need of being healed of something." I haven't read the article yet but the simplicity of that sentence does not hide the deep truth of woundedness we all face on our lives.
Each of us has hurts. Each of us carries wounds. Some are more visible than others. Some seem to have more than what seems fair in terms of quantity whereas some seem to struggle with heavier loads than others. We all are in need of being healed of at least one thing.
Then I started thinking about how we, as parents, strive to protect our children from being wounded. I did it during tonight's walk as I heel Charlotte hand to try to warm her up as the sun set and the temperature cooled. However, the fact of the matter is, no one escapes being wounded. We all must suffer in some way. A friend said earlier, "We didn't choose this cross this Lent. Rather, it chose us" when reflecting on a current hardship her family is facing. Reading her words reminded me of this image I had seen last night.
Even though this image is based on the loss of a loved one, I would argue it could represent any form of woundedness.
Grieving what might have been, grieving what was, missing the idea of who you thought someone is/was, thinking about how you were before a particular experience or incident occurred, pining for a moment in time, trying to deny your cross...these are all ways or instances that you might have to alter your thoughts...and absorb a new way of being.
We are all in need of healing of something. Thank God, Jesus did escape the tomb. By his stripes we are healed.
We had a pretty quiet Easter day which still runs so counter opposite of what I grew up with...Easter, as a child, was usually spent traveling. Washington, DC stands out in my mind as we would go the shrine for midnight mass. Then, I think back with fond memories of going to late Saturday night vigils with my brother and sister-in-law and their children at IHM when working on my doctorate. A constant to Easter while growing up, other than the faith aspect and being with my brothers and parents, is the bright pink Easter bucket basket my parents would hide my candy in from hotel or base housing rooms to Astro van locations to my grandma's house to home (& even in NC)!
Since moving to Ohio, Easter Sundays have been spent with my aunt and uncle. However, this year, we stayed closer to home. All throughout Holy Week, I kept flashing back to what was happening during this time last year. Dad had gotten out of the hospital on Wednesday of Holy Week and grew weaker by the day. I vividly remember Mom feeding him, one spoon at a time, at his bedside during the Good Friday mass that we watched of Father Jack online.
We awoke to glorious sunshine and mild spring weather today...so opposite of the sad thoughts of reliving Dad's last days one short year ago. So, today, I made every attempt to lean into the sunlight and try to experience the Easter joy of resting in the knowledge that Dad is made whole again as Jesus was. Dad is no longer the slowly slipping away version of himself from those last nine days with us. Even now as I type this, Charlotte came sleepily into the bedroom to crawl into bed with me and snuggle. Her sweet smile and "I love you, Mama" brightened up this dark bedroom as she continues to help me to look up rather than get lost in despair.
Yes, we can't escape our crosses. We are all wounded. We will not leave this world unscathed or unharmed in some way. Yet, we can use our bodies and we can be willing to absorb the sufferings and alter how we see them to ultimately persevere and overcome the wounds. We can choose to lean on God and ask for the graces to bear the trials and sufferings.
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!
I hope each of you had a peaceful Easter!
She is always in motion. One can't help but to be pulled into her infectious energy!
Enjoying a surprise from a sweet friend!
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