Redeeming the Time

This week we remember and re-enact the most important events in the entire history of the world. The coronavirus outbreak has changed some of the ways we can do so this year. But like all worldly things, the change is temporary, while Christ’s Passion – despite historical changes in leaders, regimes, cultures, even the collapse of whole civilizations – remains. And changes everything else.

Widespread suffering and death are – to be sure – serious things. Especially so in the larger perspective of what we are right to call Holy Week. At least that’s the case if we fully recognize what happened during these days.

There’s been a strange drift lately in how Christians remember and talk about Christ’s Passion, Crucifixion, and Death. And it’s not only the maverick theologians. It’s even infected some Christians – Catholics and Protestants – who still believe enough to fill the pews.

We’re told repeatedly: God loves us, Jesus accompanies us – and comforts us – in all our troubles and sufferings. That we should be filled with joy. There’s a good deal right in this – except when it becomes the only way we see things.

We’re Catholic, which means we grasp after the whole.

Click here to read the rest of Bob Royal’s column at The Catholic Thing . . .