The Wake

King Offa - Image from The British Library: www.bl.uk

I wonder what the followers of Jesus were thinking about after He was buried. Holy Saturday is the day we wait. We wait because we know that the story did not end with His death; it marks the beginning of something new, or rather something old that was renewed.

It is a time to consider life not from the perspective of the tomb but from that of the observers; from the periphery rather than the center.

Think of the times when you were at a wake. There's lots of talk among friends and family of the deceased. Most of the talk revolves around his or her life; accomplishments, anecdotes, their impact on our lives and the lives of others.

Certainly there is also talk about what happens next - the future - and how we carry on. I suppose His disciples and apostles were no different in that regard. He was such an important figure in their lives that they committed their memories to writing the Gospels.

I too take the time to consider the events of my parish and the Church as I have experienced them. What comes to mind today is what I have been pondering since the beginning of Lent: how can we become more welcoming, inviting and vibrant in our faith? More importantly, what I am willing to do to in this regard?

Catholics Returning Home is perhaps the most important thing I can think of at this point in life. I know how scary and difficult we perceive the process of returning to be. I know because I've been there. I had to figure my way back on my own, and now that I've been back for a few years I want to offer help to others in similar situations.

I am always interested in learning about what keeps Catholics from re-engaging with their faith and Church, or what makes them go somewhere else. Here's an article I found in Our Sunday Visitor website OSV Newsweekly, "Three ways parishes can experience a revival of faith" by John Michael Talbot.

Your thoughts?