Gerry Herkel, Qualicum Beach, B.C.

Readings from Mark 16:1-8 and from several of the Vatican II documents help us to reflect on our relations with Christ and the Holy Spirit. Together they remind us of our connectivity to one another and the world; they recall our mission to use our God-given talents and gifts to proclaim the Good News by our lives in Christ; and they urge us by our actions to serve those who are much less fortunate than we are.

As I reflect again on this passage from Mark’s Gospel, there are three words that strike me – words that often affect many us today: alarmed, frightened, afraid… What also strikes me is that regardless, the women initially pushed on with their task to anoint Jesus.

Even as the three women are preparing to go to the tomb, they started to worry about how they are going to remove the great stone at the front of the grave. However, when they arrive, the stone has been miraculously removed, and to their shock and amazement, the tomb is empty.

And to add to that, a young man in a white robe is there and tells them not to be alarmed! Such was their bewilderment and trembling that even when the angel instructs them to tell the disciples and Peter, Mark tells us that they came out, ran away, and told no one. Fear did not stop them from their initial task but it overwhelmed them in the end.

How often in our own lives, when we want to do something, like undertake a special project to help those in need, we start to worry about what if this happens or that happens! And while we may not become alarmed or afraid, we do become hesitant and may even decide not to proceed. We let our doubts stop us.

Why do we let this happen? Is it because our egos get in the way and we fear failure? Is it because we lack confidence in ourselves – and maybe even in God? Maybe it’s because we do not fully appreciate who we are as baptized persons, persons of faith? If we were to really appreciate this, and understand our faith in its full meaning, we could more often remember that we are, body and soul, connected to the very divinity of God. What a source of confidence! With this kind of trust and hope in God, little could stop us from moving forward.

This fact, that we are all made in the image of God, all equal and connected to each other, leads us to the opening words of the first reading this evening. Taken from the opening words of the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, I quote: “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men and women of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” This affirms that the poor and the downtrodden are persons equal in dignity and worthy of all that is good, true, and beautiful.

Pope John XXIII definitely seemed to understand the strength of his baptism. He was a man of deep faith and believed strongly in the Holy Spirit. It took a lot of courage to call the Council when he did – the times were bleak, the world was on the verge of destruction, technology had advanced and the world was becoming more and more secular.

Yet, in his opening remarks to the Council Fathers, he asked them “to see the hand of God ever directing peoples’ efforts, whether they realize it or not, towards the fulfillment of the inscrutable design of His Providence, wisely arranging everything, even adverse human fortune for the Church’s good”. (p.50) Jesus had promised that the Spirit would be with us for all time, and Pope John, affirmed this basic belief, in calling the Church to ask itself “Who are you?”. And, given the wisdom of Scripture, and the abiding presence of God, he added this question, “What is your mission in today’s world?”

In the resurrection story we began with, we see the three women setting out to anoint the body of Jesus, i.e., to provide a service. As we all know, one of the key teachings of Jesus was service. He “came not to be served but to serve”. He taught it – and he lived it. A classic example of this was when he knelt before his disciples at the last Supper, washed their feet and called them friends. As Church we are all called to serve the world. As baptized Christians, when we serve our neighbours, we participate in the life of Christ as priest by making things holy and sacred; as prophet by offering teaching and inviting; as sovereign and leaders by promoting justice systems and structures to assist the poor and needy.

A vigil such as we are celebrating this evening is an opportunity for us to remember who we really are. Remembering and appreciating all that Remi has been for us, impels us to whole-heartedly renew our own commitments as baptized Christians, to serve those in need. To be servant leaders in the example of Christ is our mission in the world.

To fulfill this role we need to be a person of character, a person who maintains integrity, and humility, and who serves a higher purpose. We need to hold all others in dignity, deserving of respect, and to display a servant heart. We need to show care, concern, and compassion. We need to understand that we are involved in ministry. We need to maintain that deep, under-pinning faith in God. A very tall order, indeed.

In his book Remi De Roo, Chronicles of a Vatican II Bishop, Remi mentioned that it was Pope John XXIII’s faith in the Spirit that kindled his own faith in the Holy Spirit, a faith that he often referred to in his conversations and dissertations with us. Remi also wrote: “I now understand faith as more than a set of intellectual assertions: it is the relationship of my total being to God in, with, and through Jesus the Christ.” If we could truly understand this in our own lives, we would go forth in faith, confidence, and trust to fulfill our mission, a mission to proclaim the Good News by our actions and lives, a mission to serve the poor and downtrodden.

I have no doubt that it was the Holy Spirit that enabled Remi to serve us so well as our Servant Leader, accomplishing many things for the people of this Diocese. I have no doubt that it was the Holy Spirit who was responsible for the choosing of Francis as our “Servant of Servants”, and who continues to guide and lead him in his service to the Church and today’s world. And I have no doubt that it is that same Holy Spirit that will help us if we remain open to Him.

So, as we continue with this vigil, let us ask Saint John the XXIII and Remi De Roo, to intercede for us on our behalf, that Pope Francis maintains the strength to continue to inspire us to develop our faith – to develop it to the point that it will impel us to move beyond worry, fright, being afraid, to being real servants in Christ to all who need us.

Gerry Herkel is Chairperson of the Board of Bethlehem Centre.