The service I took Mom to was an ecumenical one, where the Holy Family Monsignor invited all the local South Pasadena churches to join in a ceremony of . . . basic reconciliation. The local Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Protestant, and Adventist leaders were there to participate in the reading of the gospel account of events leading up to Jesus' burial.

I teared on occasion at the truth of it all, feeling all of my sinfulness melt away at the realization that a major sacrifice was made on my/our behalf.

The Welcome was so refreshing . . . it took my breath away. Msgr. Connolly said that no matter who you were or how long you had been away from the "church", you were still welcome.

This of all days (the day we remember Christ's arrest, crucifixion, and burial) - we ought to be mindful of the REASON he died . . . for our sins, for the division of peoples, and for the realization that while there are various faith traditions, we still believe in and honor the same God.

It wasn't the insufferable service (Mass) I thought it was going to be. Instead, it was a conglomeration of many faiths, invited to participate in the remembrance of Christ's sufferings and death, so that we, mankind, would be freed from the condemnation of hell.

Each leader had a narrative part (voice) in reading the gospel account. The only part we, the folks in the pews had, was the part of people who denied Jesus, and who cried out to Pontius Pilate: Crucify him!

Never had I felt so real, an identity to the very crowd that preferred the freedom of Barrabas (a thief) to Jesus (a man with no crime)... at this point, I
shed a few tears, really sensing my own sinfulness.

I can go on about the service. Perhaps my faith is being shaken again - or - perhaps my faith is being restored. Maybe it is an Easter miracle.