Happy Easter!
Dear
Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
During these days of social isolation, I have had the desire to search out and watch favorite movies. Recently, I watched again a memorable and inspirational, yet challenging, French film called “Of Gods and Men.”
It recounts the true story of a small monastery of Trappist monks in a mountain village of Algeria in the 1990’s. Set in the midst of the awful violence of the Algerian civil war, the community of eight monks was an oasis of peace and compassion in the midst of horror.
The monks lived humbly and simply among their Muslim neighbors. Offering hospitality, medical care, prayer and quiet modeling of the Christian faith—forming a strong bond between Christians and Muslims.
As the violence escalated the Algerian leaders urged the monks to return to France. The monks struggled on what to do—each monk had to decide. After much discernment they remained.
A Muslim villager asked one of the monks if they were departing. The monk quietly and calmly responded, “We are like birds on a branch. We don’t know if we will leave.” The villager responded, “No, we are the birds. You are the branch. If you go, we will lose our footing.” Word’s echoing the words of this weekend’s Gospel. When Jesus assures his disciples he will not leave them orphaned. (John 14:15-21)
The monks became the “branch” of God’s love and Christ’s presence for both Muslim and Christian neighbors. A sign of the Spirit of God speaking of goodness, justice, of compassion and hope for lasting reconciliation and peace.
In these perplexing days, how are we reminded of Jesus’ words that we will not be left behind? Who are the “branches” where you can firmly set your feet? For whom could you be a branch? A branch of hope and healing for those seeking a place to rest in peace.
Blessings and prayers for one and all!
Fr. George Couturier
Do you find yourself in need of a compassionate ear for your grief due to a loss of a loved one from the coronavirus? Send your name, email address and phone number to me via email and I will connect you to a local bereavement minister from the parish:
frgeorge@sjbrh.org
