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vanmorrison-46241261 Albums Moondance

Into The Mystic

1748514 23 412 1 Share
  1. NAME
    COMPOSER
    TIME
    PLAYS
  2. Into The Mystic (Album Version)
    Van Morrison
    3:28
    1,748,514
23 412 1
  1. 114922653
    Steve Dailor Dying and Rising with Christ As we approach Holy Week and Easter, Cathedral parishioners offer reflections on the Paschal mystery Three women, perfumed oils in hand, came to a tomb early one morning to anoint a dead body. They came to the tomb with heavy hearts; they left with hearts on fire. They came slowly, cautiously; they left running, casting caution to the winds. They came to the tomb in search of Jesus of Nazareth; they ran from the tomb with news of Christ the Lord. They came convinced that all was over; they left knowing, that all was new. My friends, the message of Easter is God’s way of saying that all is new. It is a daring thing to say-preposterous, really. It flies in the face of all we know to be true, in the face of human experience and common sense. For common sense and human experience only know the ancient, cynical wisdom that there is “nothing new under the sun.” But Easter says that everything is new, now that Jesus is new, now that Jesus is risen. Easter says that God is building new heavens and a new earth and that it all started in the dark despair of a dead and mangled body, mourned by a few brave souls and hastily planted in a borrowed tomb. In this issue of In Your Midst, some of your fellow parishioners share their own Easter stories: their stories of God’s power to make all things new, to bring light out of darkness, life out of death. Reading them, I think you’ll agree, is a powerful experience of Christ’s living presence in our midst. Father Michael G. Ryan Over the years, Lent has become one of my favorite seasons bringing the risen Christ back to my life. February is the worst month for me. The recovery from the frantic activity of the holiday season has turned to lethargy. My New Year’s Resolutions have melted away. Most likely I haven’t seen the sun for months and all the shoes in my closet are damp. But it is more than that. There always comes a point at that time of year where I realize the “busy-ness” of my life has distracted me from my relationship with God. The Jesus who arrived so joyfully at Christmas has retreated to someplace far away. The overall effect is leave me discouraged. Depressed. Lonely. Unworthy. Unlovable. Then Lent starts and I dutifully begin my regimen of prayer and fasting. The Psalmist helps me to pray for a renewed steadfast spirit. I spend quiet moments-sometimes on walks, sometimes in the Cathedral-listening for God; asking him to come back to me. My fasting reminds me how generous God is to me- gifts of plenty that I often take for granted. It also makes me realize how susceptible to temptation I am and how much I need God to help me fight it. At some point I recognize that the transformation has begun. Duty becomes desire. The readings are no longer just words on paper. I can feel them taking hold in my heart encouraging me to draw closer. God is tenderly calling to me. Instead of counting my failings I start counting my blessings and am awestruck at how much God loves me. A quiet stillness settles over me. My heart and spirit become lighter. I am being renewed. By the time Holy Week arrives I am full of joy. Through the mysteries of the Sacred Triduum I will recall the death and resurrection Jesus. But for me he has already arrived-or rather, I have returned home. I know He is alive in me and I celebrate that Easter has come again. Darcy McAllister
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