by Catherine Maresca
During a recent presentation of the Bible and the Sacraments, J., age 9, was taken with continuation of Jesus’ ministry of healing in the sacrament of anointing. The following week, in a group exploration of the Good Shepherd with the Wolf and Hireling, I invited the children to arrange the shepherd, the sheep, and the wolf in a way that reflected the reality of people today with the presence of both evil and the risen Jesus. When it was her turn, J. moved the sheep together. Then she brought the wolf among them and laid several down on their side. Finally, she moved the wolf away and brought in the shepherd who touched each sheep that was laying down and stood it up again. “He is healing them,” she explained.
And thus I was brought into the spaciousness of Holy Week. A time to acknowledge the evil, the wounds, the losses, and the pains of life and allow Jesus to heal each of us. I rarely “give up” anything for Lent, for I have learned to let the world, or my body, or life, show me its pain, to grieve, to be comforted, and to be healed.
May our observance this year of the death and resurrection of Jesus be an opportunity for us to be aware of Jesus who remains with us, suffers with us, and heals us as we walk together towards the fullness of the Kindom of God, when there will be no more pain, no more war, no more illness, but “life to the full.”
2 Responses
Thank you so much for sharing this. I remember the patience you have in waiting for responses (from adult students), and I have to remind myself not to urge the children’s response. It is Holy Thursday have a peaceful tridium and wonderful Easter celebration.
What a profound thought from this nine year old student. Being healed and restored is what Holy Week is about.
We follow Jesus through His suffering, death, and resurrection to be restored and given new life.
Death has no more power.
Thank you so much for sharing