I am sure you have heard and even said the following: “If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans!” Well, I had every intention to write a different reflection this week when a poem came across my desk. The prayer-poem “I Live in the Faith of the Resurrection” is by Fr. Edward Hays, and it appears in his book Prayers for the Domestic Church: A Handbook for Worship in the Home. Catholic Relief Services also uses this poem, with the title ‘Break open the Tomb’. Since this topic keeps recurring, I thought I would continue to reflect on the theme of the Tomb. Here is the poem-prayer:
Lord of Easter Promise,
I live in the faith of the Resurrection,
But such is the nature of my faith
That so much of me remains entombed.
Break open the tomb.
When I’ve buried my compassion, break open the tomb
When I’ve buried my sense of mercy, break open the tomb.
When I’ve buried my humility, break open the tomb.
When I’ve buried my humanity, break open the tomb.
When I’ve buried my love for my heavenly Father, break open the tomb.
When I’ve buried my sense of JOY, break open the tomb.
When I’ve buried my willingness to forgive, break open the tomb.
Lord, in you I have found a savior no grave can withstand,
Help me to roll away the stone
And find the miracle of new life
That I may live more fully in your saving grace.
There is a great deal to reflect on when you think about how you bury your compassion, mercy, humility, humanity, love, joy, or willingness to forgive. When this happens, how do I break open the tomb that holds all these gifts? What do I need to do to recapture the spirit of the Resurrected Christ? Spend some time this week praying and reflecting on this prayer-poem. I am sure that there will be times you will need to ‘break open the tomb.’
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
