A Paschal Triduum Reflection

What Distinguishes a Christian?
A Reflection for Paschal Triduum
By Rev. Robert Francis Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.missionstsergius.org

In these final days of Lent, I think about how we betray Christ with our unchristian actions every day. All around us we see and hear governments, churches and individual people proposing things that fly in the face of what Christians are supposed to be thinking and doing. A few years back there was a song sung often in church that said; “THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE”. "We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, And we pray that all unity may one day be restored, And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know we are Christians by our love, We will work with each other, we will work side by side, We will work with each other, we will work side by side, And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride, And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, by our love And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love…..And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land, And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love…. Love is patient, love is kind, Never boasts, not full of pride, Always hopes, always trusts, The evidence of Christ in us. They will know we are Christians by our love, By our love, by our love, And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, They will know we are Christians by our love”.
What has happened to this basic concept of the Christian faith? Instead of working together for a better world we seem to be fighting each other. Instead of Guarding everyone’s dignity and saving each one’s pride we seem to be degrading people because of how God created them. Even in these times of recession people seem to be so wrapped up in themselves and in acquiring material goods and wealth that they have lost sight of the poor and needy.We have a government that has spent trillions bailing out the corporations that used the bailout monies to reward their executives and stockholders . Attempts have been made to prevent people from receiving medical help unless they can prove they are citizens. These are not the qualities of a people who are supposed to have compassion, mercy, forgiveness and love for ALL God’s children. When did the basic Christian ideals change?In these final days as the Passover feast is celebrated today, the moment that Jesus gave us a lasting memorial to his being and gave us the Bread of life in the Eucharist, And before Good Friday when Christ took upon himself the sins of the world and put them to death, a death on the cross, I think we need to examine our individual life styles to determine if we are living the truths Christ taught us. Ask ourselves if we practice in our daily lives the compassion, forgiveness, mercy, generosity that Christ told us to live. Let’s prepare ourselves to welcome the Resurrection of Christ on Sunday with a resolve to live our lives in keeping with Christ’s teachings and more like the words of song so that, Everyone we encounter will know we are Christians by our love for ALL of God’s Children not just the select few that fit our comfort zone. The evidence of Christ in us will be if we practice St. Paul’s words; “Love is patient, love is kind, Never boasts, is not full of pride, Always hopes, and trusts” Let’s always show our faith and love of God by doing the correct things. AMEN
May the blessings and promise of this Paschal Season and Christ's Resurrection give you peace and comfort to sustain you in your daily lives.