I was wallowing in a bit of self pity last time I reflected and the responses made me realize that I am very lucky to receive the same risen Lord with zero fear for my life in this state of my country and so I witnessed some different traditions but finally the Easter service was a moment of enlightenment to me about how little faith I have and how much I want to be with family to feel complete.
“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
– Charles Colson
As I read the quote posted on someone’s social media, I realized how it resonated with todays gospel. The disciples were lost and bewildered by the loss of their master and then He arrived again and He blessed them with understanding of the scriptures — the holy word! The one aspect we all should yearn to learn during our lives and above all implement it in our daily routines as part of our jobs – being witness to Christ!
As I work in the dreaded field of oncology, no one even with the earliest stage ( including myself) is stress free when diagnosed. While being a surgeon a lot of the patients assume removal of the tumor from their body will cure them , we have to remind them that it ,may need chemotherapy or radiation or both and some times intensive follow up to ensure that the cancer is gone and some days despite everything I have seem women return with recurrences after 10 to 15 years of regular check ups!
Life is hard some days to watch these women suffer and when they hold our hands and sob or complain about their life – I can only do so much as a kind word or a hug , it is very heart breaking when they tell us about their struggles and me unable to sit with my family for a easter meal seems very silly next to it!
This easter being alone made me realize how fortunate I have been to have family that I so love that taught the the faith and to celebrate it. I missed my maternal grandmother , a faith filled woman who instilled in us complete love for family and being generous. I have never heard any person say anything but wonderful words about my Avozinha ( Portuguese for little grandmother). As the only grandparent I experienced , I have so many wonderful memories of her praying rosary with all of us grandkids, reading the daily bible at night and blessing us all with hugs after rosary in line. I remember her dressing 9 kids and walking us in a line along the road to church for Sunday mass during the summer vacations. She was the first to teach us to respect the priests and explain to me how prayers work. I know she is watching all of from heaven with a smile and blessing me everyday . As a former midwife in the 19 50s to1970s , she helped so many families and as from a privileged background, I always saw her giving food and money to everyone who came home with no questions asked.
This easter , let us embody the virtues of the risen Lord and praise Him through our work and deeds silently as we go through this life to experience the ultimate prize.
