I would like to use
my column in this week’s bulletin to share with you some reflections on
Easter. I hope you will find something
in here that relates to your experience of this most beautiful season. If not, maybe it might give you a few ideas
to look for next Easter or even in the remaining current Easter Season.
Holy Week is always a busy time for those of us in ministry (and I don’t just mean ordained ministry, either). There is so much to do: Transform the church from the sparseness of Lent to the regal beauty of Easter, Prepare and practice music, Prepare for the liturgies by arranging for Lectors, Ministers of Holy Communion and altar servers. These are only a sampling of what goes on behind the scenes as we lead up to the Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.
This year was a bit of a different experience for me. I had been traveling extensively for my work for the past two months. So in order to save some time and minimize my stress level Fr. Roncase invited me to spend a few nights at the rectory instead of driving back and forth from Collegeville two or three times a day. Believe me, it really helped. But since I was here at the parish the entire time, I really got a chance to witness the hard work, fellowship, and self-giving of so many people.
On Thursday evening we celebrated the Mass of the Last Supper. While this is a dramatic remembrance, the simplicity of the celebration is beautiful. I was truly reminded of Jesus’ great love for us by giving Himself to us in the Eucharist. Even the procession of the Blessed Sacrament from the church to the chapel in howling and bitter cold wind did not diminish the realization that Jesus is truly with us.
On Friday morning Fr. Roncase and I celebrated Morning Prayer with several other parishioners. After that we both went on communion calls for the rest of the morning. I am extremely grateful to those who welcomed Our Lord and me into their homes and hearts. As I carried our Lord from home to home I had the deep feeling that there was a purpose to what I was doing. This was confirmed over and over again as I witnessed the faith of those whom I visited.
At noon we participated in the Pennsburg ministerium’s Way of the Cross down Main St. At 1 PM we gathered with the other congregations of the area for a Good Friday service at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. I was reminded of Jesus prayer “that they all may be one”. Regardless of our traditions, those of us who gathered were of one mind and heart in expressing our gratitude to Jesus for giving His life for our salvation.
That same evening we had our own Passion Service here at St. Philips. One of the roles of the deacon is to carry the cross to be used for veneration by the faithful. If you have seen this cross you know how large it is. As I carried it down the isle and presented it to the community for veneration I must admit that my eyes were filled with tears as I reflected on the sacrifice Jesus made for you and me.
Saturday morning brought us to Morning Prayer again in the chapel. This time those who had been part of our RCIA joined us. After Morning Prayer we went down to the church to practice for their reception into the church at the Vigil. Two persons were to be baptized, confirmed and make their 1st Holy Communion. Two others made their 1st Holy Communion. Cardinal Rigali will confirm them on May 11 at the Cathedral. After practice the RCIA team took them all to breakfast.
When I returned to the church I was impressed to see about twenty or so parishioners hard at work transforming the church into the beautiful setting that helped us to make Easter such a solemn occasion. At noon Fr. Roncase and I blessed the Easter foods that various parishioners brought. This was the first time for me to participate in the blessing of the food. I was touched by the faith of the folks who brought their Easter meats, breads, fruits, vegetables, and pastries and candies to be blessed. I must also admit that the food smelled and looked so good.
In the afternoon I finally found a few hours to sit down and write my Easter homily. I thought I would sit down and relax for a while but before I knew it, it was time to get ready for the Vigil Mass. As I carried the Easter candle into the church to signify the Resurrected Jesus as the Light of the World I could not believe that three days had passed so quickly. When I approached the pulpit to join our choir director, Cathy Faust, to sing the Exsultet (the beautiful Easter Proclamation of the Risen Lord) I felt a calmness come over me. All of the preparations were over. Now was the time to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. It was an overwhelming feeling.
As I assisted at that Vigil Mass and watched our newest members proclaim their faith and receive their sacraments I again had an overwhelmingly wonderful feeling that this is what Jesus wants us to do. I was reminded of the antiphon from the Easter Liturgy of the Hours: This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad. On Sunday morning (Easter Morning) I assisted at the 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM Masses. It was wonderful to see so many people in church.
I finally arrived home about 12:30 PM. I was as tired as I could be but I was so elated by the experience of the past four days. All of that hard work and preparation by so many people inspired me to realize that God is truly with us. All that we did was for His glory and honor. As we remembered Jesus’ love for us, we also celebrated our unity as His disciples, as the Father’s chosen children.
By the time you read this we will have celebrated the 3rd Sunday of Easter. Easter season lasts 50 days. During this time we celebrate and reflect on this most phenomenal event. Just imagine, God Who created all things took on our human nature so that He could live as we live and experience what we experience. Jesus was truly human in all things except sin. To die for us and to rise to bring us new life is almost incomprehensible. It is only through faith that any of this makes sense to us.
As always, I welcome your questions and comments about anything related to the Church and sacraments. You can send them to me by several means: 1) you can send me an e-mail at deaconmikefranks@comcast.net, 2) you can drop your question / comment into the collection basket or 3) you can mail your question / comment to my attention at the rectory office.
As
we continue this Easter Season I pray that each of us will be filled with the
desire to believe all that the Church professes. May you find your purpose in the light of the resurrected
Jesus. Happy Easter and God bless
you. I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks.