My hand slightly trembled as I brought my brush to the canvas. I couldn’t remember the last time I had ever painted anything (fourth grade with Sister Mary of the Angels?).
Here I was on a Wednesday evening, smack dab in the middle of Holy Week, wearing a smock in an uncomfortable environment. As a groomsman in my friend’s upcoming wedding, he and the future bride decided to have a wedding party gathering at a place designed for food, drinks and bringing out your inner Van Gogh. But could I find him? Could I create something noteworthy from this blank slate?
My eyes stared at the blank canvas before me, while my ears listened for the teacher’s instructions on how to recreate the painted image in the front of the room. Exhaling softly, I began creating what I hoped would be my Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Being a participant in a painting party was just one of many memorable, and transformative, experiences I had during Holy Week.
The day before, I was present for the Chrism Mass at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood with Bishop Dennis Sullivan, clergy and religious of the diocese, and lay faithful. Bishop Sullivan blessed the oils to be used throughout the church of South Jersey this year in the sacraments.
After consecrating the oil of the sick, oil of the catechumens, and sacred Chrism, Bishop Sullivan reminded the priests and deacons of their mission “to preach, to heal, to liberate and to comfort,” in a message by which all the faithful can be inspired.
“Priests and deacons are to be heralds of Glad Tidings, announcers of the Good News, messengers of the Gospel. Principally we do this in preaching. Our preaching is to help others see Jesus in the now of their lives and to experience the joy that he brings to our lives. Preaching requires creativity, study, hard work, familiarity with the lives of our people and knowledge about what is happening in the world and in this society. And, preaching requires the determination not to be messengers of gloom, doom and condemnation but heralds of the joy of the Gospel,” he said.
Two days later, during Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Joseph Church in Somers Point, Bishop Sullivan remarked that Holy Thursday began “the first three great days of Holy Week, one continuous prayer, one mystery of our salvation.”
The Camden leader also washed the feet of 12 individuals during the liturgy, in remembrance of Jesus doing the same for his apostles at the Last Supper.
At the Easter Vigil on Saturday night at Holy Eucharist Parish in Cherry Hill, my family and I entered the church in darkness. Soon, though, light, in the form of candles, was given to all. I thought of Jesus’ disciples, who were despondent after their leader’s suffering and death. Would they have asked, “What now?” When the Mass concluded, Father George Seiter, pastor, proclaimed joyfully that “Christ is Risen.” He has returned to deliver us from sin so that we might share in his eternal glory.
I spent Easter Sunday in northern New Jersey visiting relatives, the most notable of whom is my 102-year-old grandmother, a “living saint.”
Though her eyesight is failing, and a weakened body leaves her unable to get around without the help of her children or a walker, her spirits and her Catholic faith are unyielding.
Clutching a rosary, which she prays daily, she constantly reminds her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to keep striving for their best: “Cada dia, mejor.” “Each day, better.”
“Be heralds of good tidings.” “Do as I have done.” “Christ is Risen.” “Cada dia, mejor.” These words have attached themselves to me, have become lines on a page of my personal story. Whatever anxieties, worries, fears may cloud my judgment, I only have to look to the empty tomb and have faith in the masterpiece being created.
And for the not-quite artist, when I relaxed, had fun, and let myself enjoy the company of good friends, my painting of a tree with birds, leaves, a moon, and two hearts didn’t turn out too shabby, in the end.
Written by Peter G. Sánchez, staff writer for the Catholic Star Herald.
Photo by James A. McBride
Tomas Rivera venerates the cross held by Bishop Sullivan during a Good Friday service at St. Teresa Church, Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton
Greeting the faithful
Bishop Dennis Sullivan greets the faithful on Easter morning, April 5, after Mass at St. Mary Parish in Cherry Hill. (Jim McBride – photo)