Easter Message: God Is Making For Us A New Deed! A New Creation!

Out of the Chaos of our garden of Eden, our still loving and compassionate God, sent his only Son to recreate all things in him by his death and resurrection from the dead. It is interesting that Johns’ Gospel begins by recalling the garden of Eden: “In the beginning …” (Jn 1:1) and ends with: “now, there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden, there was a new Tomb” (Jn 19:41). Jesus becomes a gardener who renews everything by the power of the resurrection. He renews the garden of our hearts and makes for us a new creation in God, a new deed! Pope Benedict XVI describes this recreation in his 2006 Easter Vigil Homily as “an explosion of light, an explosion of love.”

This was an experience, that was difficult to comprehend at first sight even by his own very close followers: Mary Magdalen thought that Jesus’ body had been stolen (Jn 20:2). Peter saw the linen wrappings and couldn’t work out what it was all about (Jn 20:6-7). The disciples didn’t understand the Scriptures (Jn 20:9). The angels question Mary, and she still did not know what was going on (Mt 28:5.8). Then she thought Jesus was the gardener (Jn 20:11,15) – and why not? He really was and is a gardener! Then, it seemed, she reached out to cling to him, and he told her she mustn’t (Jn 20:17). Gradually the reality became clearer and they subsequently defended the truth of the faith till death – having been recreated by this powerful Grace of Easter.

Easter therefore presents to us the consoling power of God, which accompanies us in the sufferings, doubts and trials of this life. We are consequently assured of the constant protection of our God who does not abandon us, come what may. As a gardener, he continues to renew us when we turn to him always in faith despite our difficulties and are willing to surrender our limitations under his loving care and guidance.

May the spirit of a new creation breathe anew through our congregation: we think of the sisters living in war-torn and crisis-hit countries; we think of those who work tirelessly on daily basis to lend a helping hand. We think of those who are in difficulties: psychological, illness, vocation challenges etc. Sometimes our difficulties are so overwhelming that we often feel our prayers are unanswered. All we need is believe in the power of the Easter Renewal, and follow after the principles of our blessed Lord – for God whispers to us every now and then: “Behold, I make all things new!” (Rev, 21:5).

Permit me share this beautiful Creed with you, from Pete Greig’s “God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayers.”  Find in it timeless virtues in living the spirit of the Easter recreation:

“I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey …
I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things …
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise …
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God …
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things …
I got nothing I asked for—but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed”. 

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

SR. THEODOSIA BAKI
Generaloberin