by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
(bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)
It was in 1984 when I made my first visit to Chicago. I was very lucky to be invited by a Jesuit friend to stay at a Jesuit Residence. Every moment was a learning experience. But I forgot all of them, even if I am sure they all stayed ingrained into my life. However there was one of them that I will never forget. I was very lucky to sit down with Father Freddy for dinner. Father Freddy was confined to a wheelchair after a long battle of recovery from a severe stroke. It was a stroke that left him paralyzed for a long time. Thank God it didn’t affect his mind. He was as brilliant as ever. Even very slowly he was able to tell his story and express his thoughts and his feelings.
Fr. Freddy had been a brilliant professor at the University and a brilliant speaker in special occasions. After hearing his experiences it was the first time, in my life, that I started disliking the word «disabled» or «disability». That word started making sense to me when referring to things like cars, cell phones, and other material instruments. After hearing Father Freddy’s story I decided to call that period of life with a simple word. The word is «change». Father Freddy didn’t become «disabled». Father Freddy just changed his way of ministering and serving the Church and the world. Which period was more meaningful and powerful? Before, or after the stroke? I dare to say that both were equally important. Dr. Robert Schuler used to say that «Any person can count how many seeds are inside of an apple but only God can count how many apples are inside of a seed».
This happened when Fr. Freddy told me: «I have never felt so identified with Jesus, especially with Jesus on the cross, as when I was paralyzed in a bed without being able to move any part of my body. That’s when I realized for the first time that I was going through the same experience of Jesus on the cross. Jesus was paralyzed on the cross like a mosquito smashed against a windshield of my car. He was not able to move any part of his body not even to swat a fly that had landed on his forehead. I was feeling the same. Like a helpless mosquito».
HOLY WEEK
PALM SUNDAY: Today is Palm Sunday. It is the day when the Church celebrates triumph and Glory. Hosanna… I cannot imagine the excitement of the crowds applauding Jesus. However the Church offers the reading of the Passion of Jesus. It sounds like a contradiction. Jesus was smashed against the cross like a mosquito against the windshield of my car and we are singing Hosanna.
HOLY THURSDAY: Next Thursday is Holy Thursday: Jesus becomes a «Feet Washer» and inaugurates his friends and followers as a community of «Feet Washers». If it was not enough He transformed Himself into a «Thing». He transformed Himself into Bread that made Him say: «I am the Bread of Life». It was like saying «I am food» to nourish you and be with you fo-re-ver. Bread is a «thing». But how much power and love in that «thing» that is the Eucharist. Jesus became a «nobody» in order that the “nobodies” can become “somebody”.
GOOD FRIDAY: The church celebrates the moment when Jesus became like a «mosquito smashed against the windshield of a car». Jesus died and was buried. It seemed like the end.
EASTER SUNDAY: Three days later the stone was removed, the tomb was empty and He became alive. Since then the Church started celebrating the Death and Resurrection of Jesus together. He is among us. Jesus is the «certain friend in our uncertain times».
This is going to be the most special, dramatic and confusing Holy Week of our lives. Pope Francis reminded us that the Passion of Jesus continues in our suffering. The world is going right now through an unpredictable suffering and great confusion. A cruel virus is changing the world. A cruel virus is causing lots of confusion, fear and suffering. But at the end I strongly believe that we are going to triumph over any virus as Jesus triumphed over death.
«Courage is not to have strength to continue. Courage is to continue when we don’t have any more strength». «If God is for us who can be against us?». «To live is to believe that tomorrow is going to be better».
Love & Peace,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade April 5th, 2020, Palm Sunday