On Monday, April 18, we experienced a wonderful evening of music and readings. Although I spoke about briefly last weekend, I always prefer to write something here which expresses the sentiments, not only of myself, but of many who spoke to me, e-mailed or left messages on my voicemail. The music was indeed superb and done at the high standard that we are all accustomed to hearing every Sunday.
What made this evening different were the stories and music complimenting one another. Not only were the stories and music so well performed, but the message of both created an evening of spirituality for us all; celebrating once again, the Risen Christ and His Mother, Mary. If we read between the lines of the words of the stories and the words of the songs, we would have heard in both, the love between Mary and her Son Jesus and how that love is so much a model for us to follow in our own lives. And that love shared between Jesus and Mary was a love that was there in the joyful times as well as in times of suffering. The message is one that Jesus tells us about in the scriptures: that we must be willing to go to the foot of the cross like Mary did, in order to gain eternal life in heaven. It is always easy to love in the good times, the joyful times, or when everything in our own lives is going along smoothly. How much more difficult is it in time of trial and suffering, which are both realities in our lives too. To love in these times, as at the foot of the cross, is more difficult at the time, but truly demonstrates the real and unconditional love that Mary and Jesus had for each other and Jesus has for us. To return that love to Him and one another every day will bring us the joys of eternal life in heaven and make our earthly journey homeward, one of celebration, joy and peace even amidst the struggles and trials of life. The unconditional love and dedication that we heard about in the words and the songs of the concert can serve us well as we strive to live together in peace, harmony and good will as the community of believers and the parish of St. Dominic. I hope you will have a great week as we usher in the month of May.
Fr. Phil
