Will Easter Happen This Year?

FATHER EUGENE BARRETTE, MS, writes an excellent commentary in the Archdiocese of Atlanta Georgia Bulletin about Easter not happening if we deny or block out Good Friday. I love how he relates this to the pro-life ministry. Here is an excerpt:

We in the pro-life ministry, especially when focusing on the struggle to save the pre-born, are called to be, first and foremost, aware of the Good Fridays that many people face when faced with an unexpected pregnancy:– The condemning eyes or verbal reproaches from parents, family, friends, “religious” people. It is Good Friday. – The fear and pain of wondering if parents still love you, the distance of some family, friends. It is Good Friday. – The turmoil, the stumbling, the not knowing what this is going to mean to one’s future. It is Good Friday. – The mixed feelings—to love and welcome or hate and wish this new life be gone. It is Good Friday. – The panicky feelings that everything is shattering, no future, no hope—it’s dark, scary, a desolation, bleak landscape of despair. It is Good Friday. – The whisperings deep in the pit of self, or from family, friends, counselors, “Just get rid of the problem. An abortion is not such a big deal today. Who will know? Just wash your hands of all of this and get on with your life.” Words echoing those of the Prince of Lies. It is Good Friday.

The great temptation is to walk away from that Good Friday, at any cost. It takes eyes of faith and Spirit-given courage to face such a Good Friday and walk into it. An unexpected and unwanted pregnancy can be an invitation to one’s own Stations of the Cross.

That is where we in the pro-life ministry are called to accompany, to companion, those faced with such a Good Friday. Faith-based strength and hope-filled support are needed to reach Easter.– The Easter of affirming that this new life has been known before being knit in the mother’s womb, called by name by God, who is the One who gives this life. Easter happens when a resounding “yes” has been given to this life. – The Easter of believing that this person has a unique song to sing, words to speak, work to accomplish, love to give, mission to fulfill, a piece to place in God’s mosaic of the history of life. Easter happens when a resounding “yes” has been given to this life. – The Easter of seeing a couple so desirous of a child and yet unable to have one, and then receiving the gift of this child born to this mother unable to really care for her child.

Easter happens when a resounding “yes” has been given to this life.– The Easter of this new mother, choosing and able to keep the child and discovering a capacity to love and level of selflessness she never knew she had. Easter happens when a resounding “yes” has been given to this life. – The Easter of other people’s hearts awakened by this example of the choice for life made in the midst of Good Friday. Easter happens when a resounding “yes” has been given to this life. [Read the Entire Story]
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