Lent 2024 began a few weeks early for me with the unexpected illness of someone very dear to me. My Lenten observances have not been of my own choosing. My sacrifices were my responses to the circumstances around me. The best I could do was to help as best I could and to pray for all concerned. My prayers vacillated between very specific lists of requests and direst orders to our patient God. Finally, I acknowledged that God knows best. Finally, I placed my sister, her family, and all our concerns into God’s capable and loving hands.
This Easter morning, I can’t help thinking that many of our most precious moments occur amidst or in response to tragedy. Somehow, God fashions joy from even our deepest pain. This Lent, despite my human response to this sadness in my life, God lovingly nudged me along the way, uplifted my drooping spirit, and hinted at the joy to come.
I realize that alleluia-filled churches, festively clad worshipers, and joyful family gatherings provide an unlikely setting in which to reflect upon the difficult times in our lives. Nonetheless, I do so because God has remained at my side through it all. As was the case for Jesus’ followers, each of us has been and will continue to be touched by tragedy in some form. And as was the case with Jesus’ followers, God promises that, however difficult these events prove to be, the outcome will always be joy. While I believe the sentence you just read with all my heart, I admit that I’ve sometimes doubted its truth when struggling with the worst of my worry.
I wonder how the circumstances of my sister, or a friend, or a fellow parishioner, or those suffering half a world away can be turned around. As I’ve admitted before, I’ve wrung my hands in frustration, finally raising a fist to heaven. I’ve even dared to quote Jesus on behalf of the suffering about whom I’ve worried: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken him and her and them?” Finally, after I’ve done all that I can do, I hand over my worry to God. It is then that God peals away my pain, fills me with hope, and reveals the joy to come.
Today, we celebrate the Easter Joy that followed Jesus’ passion and death and which will follow the life-altering events we somehow survive. Over the next several weeks, the scripture passages we’ll share will illustrate the ways the disciples came to this realization. Eventually, the disciples were able to leave their fear behind. Eventually, they couldn’t help sharing the miracle of Jesus’ new life with anyone who would listen!
So, on Easter Sunday 2024, we celebrate God who fashions joy from even the deepest pain. We celebrate Jesus’ resurrection which offers a hint of what we’ll all experience one day. The miracle of Easter encourages us to celebrate the potential for new life in every moment of every day in everything we do. When we keep the promise of our own resurrections in mind, we can embrace each day with amazing strength and, yes, joy!
If you’re wondering where to begin, turn to Jesus. Jesus offered a lifetime of lessons, teaching us to love God by loving each another. Jesus showed us how to build strong communities by building strong relationships. Jesus taught us to help both our neighbors and strangers in distress. Jesus taught us to live in accord with our beliefs while allowing others to do the same. Jesus taught us to respond as best we can in the moment at hand. Yes, Easter is the culmination of Jesus’ life among us and an invitation to begin new lives of our own.
Today, as we turn the calendar on Lent 2024, I’ll celebrate Easter by continuing to walk hand in hand with my sister. Hopeful as I am, I realize that there is much more to do along the way. Still, I embrace what lies ahead because Jesus has assured me that all will be well in the end. The same is true for each of us both when our lives are going well and in the midst of our most difficult days. Knowing this, I can honestly say, “Happy Easter!”
©2024 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved
Mary Penich 
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