"Starting Seeing Life"
Fr. George Wertin
Sunday, April 11th, 2004

I received word this week that my friend Ken Untener died after a short bout with cancer. Ken was the Bishop of Saginaw, Michigan and was known for his pastoral sensitivity. He was enthusiastic and demonstrated a partnership model of ministry. When he was made bishop more than twenty years ago he sold the bishop’s mansion and lived in the rectorys of the various parishes. He would stay for a few months in one rectory and move on to another. He got to know his 100 parishes - and their parishioners - very well.

I remember that Ken said that the Easter homily should be short! Not because homilies are necessarily boring, but because Easter is not about words but about experiencing and being in tune with nature.

Let me ask you a question. How many of you have been to Disneyland or Disneyworld??? (Invite people to raise their hands…) Many people don’t realize that the stated mission of Disney is “to make people feel happy.” Yet the displays and castles are a façade, an empty shell. They create a very temporary happiness. Disneyland is an enjoyable escape - for those who have the time…and the money!

By contrast, Christianity offers us an Empty Tomb. And our mission is to build up the Kingdom of God so that ALL people might share a more stable happiness and joy. In other words, we are not escaping reality but dealing with transformation - with new life through death.

The resurrection is not a proof of the divinity of Christ, as some older theologies were preoccupied with demonstrating. Nothing can ‘prove’ the resurrection. No, it is a sign, an expression of transformation. It is rooted in mystery and life. It fills us with joy!

I’m reminded of the true story about a woman who was born blind. Through the miracle of modern medicine she was able to gain her sight. After the surgery and some time looking at the world she had two reflections: One, the world is more beautiful than she ever imagined - more colorful, more filled with detail. Secondly, she said she was disappointed in the sadness and apathy expressed on people’s faces. As G. K Chesterton, the 19th century theologian put it, “Christians don’t look sufficiently redeemed.”

What we need is enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is a wonderful word. It means, quite literally, “filled with God.” How can we not let God’s live and love radiate out from us as we celebrate Easter?

At funerals I often reflect on the resurrection and the meaning of Easter. I like to remind people that Jesus promised three things:

1. the more we cling to things, the more likely we are to lose them,
2. the more we give away the richer we become
3. the more we are willing to die, the greater is our celebration of life.

A pilgrim once asked a wise monk the meaning of Easter. The wise monk responded: “It is to see the eagle in the egg, the butterfly in the cacoon, and the saint in the sinner.

Happy Easter!