An Easter miracle: When a crook is blessed

Submarine! It is not because I am anti-war that I feel bitter when I hear that word. Last year, my family attended an Easter mass in a church in East Jakarta. I told my three children and my wife that we should use Easter as an opportunity to make our family more religious. The church was very crowded but we found seats in the front row. When the priest delivered his sermon I folded my hands and listened attentively -- I felt very close to heaven at that time.

But then that word "submarine" leapt out at me, like a slap in the face!

"Many of you are just like submarines," he said.

"A submarine spends most of its time under the sea and only in an emergency does it come to the surface. Many of you come to church only for Easter and Christmas masses," the priest said and many people burst into laughter.

My daughter whispered to me,"We haven't been to church once since last Christmas."

After we arrived home I quickly blamed my wife for the long absence. Since a failed operation four years ago she has had to use a wheelchair. She was so desperate that she did not want to go to church for a long time.

"Don't blame mama. Even when she was still healthy, it was she who brought us to church while you stayed home with so many excuses," my eldest son defended his mother.

"So, you mean I am in the wrong?" I replied with a red face.

My second son save me from "hell". He opened the Holy Bible and read Luke 23:42-43. It was a conversation between one of two criminals who were crucified together with Jesus. My son said the crook became the very first person to gain a seat in heaven after the crucifixion.

"As long as you are smart and lucky enough to have the opportunity you can be blessed even if it is true that you are a crook," said my son.

"He (the criminal) said to Jesus, 'Remember me when you come into power.'"

"Jesus replied,'I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.'"

Only the crook said nice things to Jesus when He was dying on the cross.

Since then I assured my wife that I really would take care of her. Initially I thought I had done everything to help her.

But I don't know how to answer every time my wife asks me, "When will I walk again?"

My children then suggested that we go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem because their mother often mentions it to them. Who knows, maybe we could find a miracle there. We took nearly all of our savings.

In Jerusalem, despite her physical disability, she could fully attend the Via Dolorosa (The way of the cross) ceremony to recall Jesus' journey from Praetorium, where he was condemned to death, to go to Calvary where he was crucified. It was very difficult to pray at each of the 14 stations (stops Jesus made during the journey) because the route is located in a crowded market.

During our pilgrimage her prayers included,"Make me walk again, or at least make me able to sleep." She suffered from insomnia after the surgery.

The priest who lead our tour said miracles often comes in various forms. So we still hope for her recovery!

And now it is Easter again! Our family has pledged to attend all Holy Week events starting from Palm Sunday, the Last Supper on Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Night Mass in St. Carolus Hospital. The chapel of the hospital can cater for people with wheelchairs. I have checked with the priest that submarines will not be mentioned. Choirs in the chapel are always very enthusiastic about demonstrating their talents, and they choose songs that people are not familiar with, which means we do not need to sing at all.

When I called my eldest son, who is still studying at a private university in Yogyakarta, he said,"I want to be the crook like in the Bible!" It means he will not likely go to church.

My wife has promised to treat us to dinner in an expensive restaurant after the Sunday Easter mass. This time she refused to prepare lunch at home saying the cooking is too tiring for her. Of course my children have passed the age where they still demand Easter eggs.

My daughter has asked me to bring my own money,"because every time mama pays the bill she always says this or that food, like ice-cream, is not good for your health."

Happy Easter! And, by the way, I will take my wallet along with us to dinner. --Kornelius Purba--