The paschal mystery lives in the family

I love stories and pictures to illustrate concepts and reflections, as anyone who regularly reads Marfam publications or listens to my programme on Radio Veritas will know.

Families have their Good Friday moments but their decisions to love together with God’s mercy and care lead to Resurrection times. Image of thre Resurrection from St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria (Photo: Fr Chris Townsend).

The stories and sometimes the pictures present a different perspective to the biblical event, and by contextualising these in a modern setting, mainly from a family perspective, I try to make the event a little more relatable to us, the family people of today

Imagine if you will, if Jesus was with us in the world today, where would he be carrying out his ministry? In Rome? In Syria? Or closer to home, perhaps in Bekkersdal, Khayelitsha or Limpopo, alongside protestors against poor service delivery?

He chose in his own day not to form a political party and would not be out electioneering. He might even keep away from the Public Protector but would nevertheless have his say about corruption, greed and power struggles, even taking on the rulers in debate.

An important part of my ministry over the years has been to promote family faith-sharing which uses scripture readings alongside real-life situations. There are resources for this but families are encouraged to use their own issues and situations as well as the current events around them for personal reflection — but, importantly, also for sharing with one another, which is the most difficult part.

Being family-friendly can mean using the events from Palm Sunday, when the people wanted to make Jesus king, until Good Friday, when they turned on him demanding his execution.

The Songs of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah, as the liturgical readings of the time, can be linked with a thought on marriage and faithfulness, justice, a culture of violence, abuse of power and the meaning of sacrifice.

The Stations of the Cross can be prayed by families, linking the Jesus event to something in their own lives. For example, Jesus was betrayed and unjustly condemned: “On what occasions has such a thing happened to me?” Jesus fell, but got up and continued his painful journey: “From my own experience, can I relate to how difficult that must have been?”

Even today Jesus would say, as he did on that Holy Thursday almost 2000 years ago: “My way is different, even though I will be made to suffer. This is my message to you. Greater love has no one than to lay down their life for their friends. Love one another as I have loved you.”

He had given them his vision, given them himself, this motley bunch from all sectors of society—young families, middle-aged and old, men and women, sick and healthy, rich and poor.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, the merciful, those who hunger and thirst for justice, the poor in spirit. Blessed are you when from the love you experience you can reach out and share my love with others.”

They knew they were still at the beginning of a journey for life, but they were ready to live out the beatitudes. “So when we are gathered all together, let us strive to keep our minds free of division. May there be an end to malice, strife and quarrels and let Christ our God be dwelling here amongst us” (Ubi Caritas, Holy Thursday. From Thoughts For The Day: April To June, Marfam).

Families live and experience the paschal mystery over and over. They offer innumerable sacrifices which when joined to the sacrifice of the Eucharist become acceptable to God. Families have their Good Friday moments but their decisions to love together with God’s mercy and care lead to Resurrection times. That is the life of the domestic church.

A Blessed Easter to all — and here is an Easter diet tip: Eat an Easter egg before each meal. It’ll take the edge off your appetite, and that way you’ll eat less.