Spring must have its way! Another season is born. I am ready for the spring days to unfold. With the warming of the earth we see the mystery of rebirth as each day brings changes. New life will appear. The skies can’t keep their secret as the days begin to lengthen. We know that winter is on the wing and spring is on its way.
We know that spring belongs with Easter. Whenever I catch a glimpse of the full glory of spring, the word “resurrection” comes to mind, bringing the miracles of light, joy, love, the recovery of man of his faith, of life, of its divine meaning and of its sacred depth.
I felt compelled to write something about this very special event. We have so many beautiful and spiritual Easter ideals. I found it difficult to write about these times. I pondered how to approach this. What to write? Yes, much is written. Scholars, doctors, professors, monks, spiritual fathers and highly educated people have written about the crucifixion and the resurrection.
To whom does God give his gifts? His gifts are for all of us. God’s gift of salvation is a wonderful destiny for all of us. We don’t always accept God’s gift yet God still gives them. God gives us himself. He uses all his power to convince us that he is who he is and can be trusted to lead us home. Sin, ocean, storm, exile, death ”“ our God is the God who follows us. Have you sensed him seeking you? Have you sensed him through the kindness of a stranger? Through the mystery of a romance?
God became man. God invited Mary to birth his son. It all happened in a most remarkable moment. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb. He came to earth as a dependent, vulnerable baby ”“ just as each of us did. His parents, a carpenter and a common Jewish girl, raised him.
Now let’s go to the tomb, for Jesus lies in the tomb, still stiff. Death has claimed its greatest trophy. His body is lifeless. We were not there with the crying women and Jesus’ mother. They sponged the blood from his beard, they listened for breath. Jesus’ body was wracked with pain, eyes blinded by his own blood and lungs yearning for air. No woman suffered more than Mary, the mother of Jesus. Watching the crucifixion of her Son was more than she could bear.
Pain and exhaustion push him to the point of unconsciousness. His head lolls forward. Desperately he fights the excruciating pain of his wounded feet. With spokes, his hands and feet have been nailed to a Roman cross. He bore the brutality off the Roman whip. Finally the tortured silence is shattered by the sound of a solitary hammer striking a nail, and Jesus was crucified.
Out of the darkness came a haunting cry, hoarse and hurting. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” There is no answer.
I would like to remind folks that you are invited by the Most Holy Trinity Church to attend an All-Bach Music program to be held at St. Joseph Church, Biddeford, on Sunday, March 22 at 1 p.m. The concert is a fundraiser to repair the organ at Most Holy Trinity Church. Admission is free ”“ offerings will be taken.
— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.
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