We witness miracles, such as the new life of spring, every day. Due to our human limitations, we only understand the miracle of the Resurrection, in part. We have heard how the story ends, but we haven’t fully experienced this joy ourselves.
Writing a column for the Easter season in the midst of Holy Week arouses many conflicting emotions. While focusing on Jesus’ final days on earth, I must write about the feelings of the days to follow. It almost feels like I have skipped ahead to the final page of a suspense novel.
Dr. Joel Heck reflects on this sensation in his Lenten devotions book Mercy, Passion and Joy. He states, “During (Holy Week) Christians always remember the horrific events that led to Christ’s death, while knowing, in the backs of their minds, how the story ends.”
I know that this is the true joy of Christianity: realizing that, even though life presents struggles and moments of despair, Christ’s death and resurrection give us hope. I know that he paid the price for my sins and failings in order to give me eternal life; however, I realize that I am not sorrowful enough during Holy Week, nor am I happy enough during the Easter season. My human understanding of the magnitude of these events falls short.
Limited though I am, God does provide me with opportunities to understand the profound mysteries of his gifts a little more. Last year, at the Holy Thursday Mass at my parents’ church in Ontario, the parishioner who presented the oil of the sick was a man who, just months before, had nearly died.
During our family’s previous visit to Ontario, my parents received a devastating phone call. A man who was extremely active and involved in the church and community had suffered a brain aneurysm and was in intensive care. Over the following hours, we heard updates from his children stating that doctors had told them there was limited brain activity and that if their father survived he would be a mere shell of his former self. Brain damage would render him changed from the man they knew.
To say this time was sad would be a vast understatement. In hindsight, I feel that the family was enduring their own type of holy week – trying to accept and believe the shocking and painful events that had occurred, bracing themselves for the grief and suffering of life going forward.
Yet, after some time in rehabilitation, their father made an almost-full recovery. The doctors apparently nicknamed him, “Miracle Man.” They thought he was dead, but God still had plans for him.
I’m not sure what work this man has left to do in life, but his recovery alone has certainly enhanced the faith of those who have been touched by his story. His healing was not only an answer to the prayers of those who love him; it was an answer to the prayers of all who have ever doubted in God. This man is living proof that God exists. The significant miracle of his second chance gives us a small taste of Easter joy.
Pain is an inescapable part of life; yet, every day God gives us miracles. I have been blessed with the chance to see a miracle so significant that I cannot help but notice God’s presence in the world.
As the deacon read the words, “Behold the oil of the sick that has been blessed by our bishop for the healing of body, mind and soul. May those touched by this oil experience the compassion of Christ and his saving love,” I found myself moved to tears. I had heard those words and seen the presentation of the oils on Holy Thursday before; however, in that moment, I witnessed the miracle of a man I thought I’d never see again walking down the aisle as if nothing had happened to him. I received a sampling of what Jesus’ family and friends experienced after the Resurrection.
Although I rejoice in knowing how the story ends, I still cannot fully comprehend the joy of Easter. I suppose this is because I have only experienced this joy with human limitations. I know that Christ died and rose for me, and that miracles occur every day to increase my awareness of this truth, but I will never know the true joy of the Resurrection until my own earthly story ends.
This knowledge keeps my faith alive, as I wait and prepare in joyful anticipation. Alleluia!