Lessons of the Cross strike a chord with Brodie

How does one express gratitude for someone who makes the ultimate sacrifice? That is the question we are forced to confront on this most holy of days - Good Friday. It is the day on which Jesus, the Christ, took up His Cross...and gave up His life.

I took my son, Brodie to the Stations of the Cross at our local church this morning. He was clearly fascinated by the unfolding drama, as we made our way around the playground of the adjoining primary school. Stopping at clearly identified intervals, I attempted to explain the story of Jesus' crucifixion, and all the drama leading up to that fateful moment.

If I had any concerns about Brodie's ability to comprehend what he was 'witnessing', I need not have worried. On the way home, I asked him what he remembered from the 'chapters' of the story he had just heard. "I remember that Jesus fell over three times and that a woman wiped His face," he responded, unprompted. Asked if there was anyone special that Jesus encountered, he told me: "Mary, Jesus' mother".

It may seem like I am boasting, the ravings of a proud Dad. Yes, I am proud! But more importantly, I sense that the story of Jesus' journey to Calvary has the capacity to touch us all, if only we let it. It hardly matters how many years we have lived - the death of the Son of God resonates deep within us...as it should. After all, He died for each and every one of us.

As an interesting postscript, this evening, I shared with Celena and Brodie a pack of postcards, containing the Stations of the Cross as depicted by Aboriginal artist Richard P Campbell (http://www.nativespirit.com.au/australianart/stations.html). Brodie wanted me to go through each of them, re-telling the story with Campbell's beautiful artwork. The questions Brodie posed, particularly "why did Jesus have to die?", assured me that this is one Good Friday our family will remember for a long time!
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Easter prompts a sense of anticipation

We are a few days out from one of the most significant seasons in the Church’s calendar. My son is in the lounge-room, waiting for me to come and play with him. My wife is preparing to drive into the city for an appointment at the hospital. The Indigo Girls are playing and their laid-back style perfectly suits the anticipatory mood that prevails at the moment.

Easter, perhaps more so than Christmas, is all about anticipation. In the readings for each of the milestones that mark the journey of Jesus, we hear that sense of waiting prevail: Judas waiting for the right moment to betray Jesus; the disciples waiting for Jesus’ profound teachings to become clear to them; the high priests and other Jewish officials waiting to confront the threat to their authority; and Jesus waiting to fulfil his destiny as the Son of God.

We wait when we have hope. No-one waits for a bus they know is never coming. A person continues to go on a date because they have hope that, one day, they might meet their soul mate. An army can hold off opposing forces if they anticipate reinforcements are coming. When we have hope, we don’t mind waiting. It makes the wait worthwhile!

This Easter, may you find peace in the time you spend waiting and may the hope indicated by the empty tomb inspire and humble you.
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