The great events that give us new life in Christ

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Holy Saturday

Exodus 14:15-15:1; Exodus 15; Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 117(118) 1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Luke 24:1-12


In the older English Missal, there was a phrase which especially appealed to me, a simple one: the great events that give us new life in Christ. We believe that something happened in these days which sets us free from the power of death and even from the fear of death, something happened which brings us forgiveness and peace, something happened which shows us the astonishing love of God for all of us and for each one of us. In the great passion poem, My Song is Love Unknown, the poet asks the question which matters: “Oh who am I that for my sake, my Lord should take frail fresh and die?” 


Holy Week reminds us of tragedy and of hope. Because of this week, we believe death and destruction, evil and suffering are not the final word: on the contrary, we proclaim the victory of love and life in God.  While we mark Jesus' death and resurrection every year, perhaps this year it will speak to us in a new and personal way. 


A word on memory. The Jewish Passover is not on a fixed day of the week, like our Christmas Day, and this year it fell this week on Wednesday evening. In a very ancient instruction there is teaching on how and even to celebrate the Passover. As we celebrate our Christian Passover, perhaps these words can inspire us too: 


In every generation a person is duty-bound to regard himself as if he personally has gone forth from Egypt, since it is said, And you shall tell your son in that day saying, it is because of that which the Lord did for me when I came forth out of Egypt (Ex. 13:8). Therefore we are duty-bound to thank, praise, glorify, honour, exalt, extol, and bless him who did for our forefathers and for us all these miracles. He brought us forth from slavery to freedom, anguish to joy, mourning to festival, darkness to great light, subjugation to redemption, so we should say before him, Hallelujah. (Mishnah; Tractate Passover 10:5)


As we mark the great events that give us new life in Christ, the very same God is present to us, offering us the very same gifts of life, love and forgiveness. All that is asked of us is open hearts and open lives. May this time of testing be for us all a time of grace. 



A meditation written by Kieran J. O'Mahony OSA of the Irish Province of Augustinians, Co-ordinator of Biblical Studies for the Archdiocese of Dublin

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Fr Kieran's website: www.tarsus.ie

Lastest Book: Hearers of the Word. Exploring & Praying the Readings. Let to Pentecost, Year A. To get a copy postfree: www.messenger.ie

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