Vigil

It might seem hard to separate Easter from the delights of chocolate, colored eggs and going to church (for some the one time during the year :)). This is a perfect time of year for celebration, yard parties and enjoyment of life blossoming everywhere at the start of spring.

Nonetheless, Easter is more than parties or chocolate but a celebration which proclaims victory and new life. The readings for the Easter Vigil recount key themes from the Old Testament to show that the life, death and Resurrection of Christ is the pivot point of history. Why is that? Christ’s death on Good Friday seems to us tragically like business as normal, a good, prophetic man who is unjustly killed by the powerful to silence him and stop his uncomfortable message. We have seen this repeatedly in every country throughout human history- what is the American expression ‘only the good die young’. But Easter shows a reversal and one which turns history and normal power politics on its head. Death does not have the last word! Injustice does not silence Christ’s message but, through power of the Spirit, Jesus is resurrected. Death has no more power ultimately and we are given a promise of hope that we too share this life- eternal life with Christ in a state beyond human suffering, limitations and fears. Easter not only shows the power of Christ over death and gives us hope but also gives us courage. Evil must be confronted in our own lives as well as in society- we need not cower but have courage to speak truth with humility. Power is Christ’s and we are called to act for love, justice and Christian values.

So celebrate life today with family and friends as well as with those who allow us to rejoice in small medical victories over death made by the doctors of Mission Doctors Association. Happy Easter!

Today's guest blog post is contributed by Brother John Kiesler, OFM is a member of the facility of the Franciscan School of Theology in California. Brother John is a member of the Formation Facility for long-term missionaries through Mission Doctors and presents at the Annual Retreat Seminar on the theology of mission. Additionally he serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Mission Doctors Association.