An Easter miracle: When a crook is blessed

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--