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About The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (April 16, 1987)
Page 4 • Faith Today ON PILGRIMAGE f/7 “The history of salva- ffi\ tion — the history of humanity as well as of fj every human being of 0 whatever period — is the fj wonderful history of a ff reconciliation: the recon- J/ ciliation whereby God, as a Father, in the blood and the r cross of his Son made man, reconciles the world to himself and thus brings into being a new family” (Pope John Paul II in his 1984 apostolic exhortation on reconciliation and penance). One character in the parable of the Prodigal Son is almost lost from view — the elder brother of the young man who returns home after a long absence. Some readers identify with the parable’s father figure. His jubilation at the return of his younger son explodes before their eyes. The father is the welcome image of one who realizes that this reunion — and every similar one — is cause for celebration. Other readers identify with the prodigal son himself. They recognize his disappointment at what the pope called the “emp tiness of the mirage” he had found so fascinating, his sense of being “alone, dishonored, ex ploited” when he tried “to build a world all for himself.” The prodigal son represents every human being. But so, in a most interesting way, does his elder brother. Pope John Paul II wrote of this in his 1984 message on penance and reconciliation. He pointed to the elder brother in the parable as one who illustrates how important yet complex the task of reconcilia tion within the human family can be. The elder brother is temperate and hard working, faithful to father and home. Refusing to join in the banquet celebrating his brother’s return, he is “too sure of himself and his own good qualities, jealous and haughty, full of bitterness and anger.” His father’s kindness and mercy “ir ritate and enrage him,” the pope wrote. In this story, the “selfishness which divides the brothers... becomes the story of the human family.” Yet, the pope says, it must be recognized that to the ex tent that the elder brother “is not converted and is not reconciled with his father and brother, the banquet is not yet fully the celebration of a reunion and rediscovery.” The story is a reminder of the need for transformation if recon ciliation is to be achieved. “There can be no union among people without an internal change in each individual,” the pope wrote. Reconciliation, he says, is the result of conversion — a true change of heart. Easter witness By Janaan Manternach NC News Service ary grew up in the town of Magdala, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, not far from Tiberias and Capernaum. She grew up like all the Jewish girls in her town. She learned to help her mother and to cook and sew. She enjoyed going with the women to the town well to draw water and talk. Her parents taught her to pray. She celebrated the Jewish Sabbath and feasts with her parents at home and in the local synagogue. As a young woman Mary began hearing stories about a remarkable man named Jesus. She learned that he was living not far away in Capernaum. She wanted very much to meet him. She was not just curious, but she had suffered all her life from a sickness the local doctors could not diagnose. It may have been a form of epilepsy. She hoped that Jesus might help her. Easter Fun Color the pic tures. Then draw an Easter picture of your own. Then one day she met Jesus. He felt very sorry that Mary suffered so much and he healed her. People said he drove seven devils out of her. Mary became one of the followers and friends of Jesus and traveled with him and his disciples from town to town. She loved to listen to his preaching and to talk with him. She did whatever she could to help Jesus. Even when people began to turn against Jesus, Mary was among those who stayed with him. She went with him to Jerusalem, know ing how dangerous it was to be a friend of Jesus. She knew his enemies were plotting to kill him. When Jesus was crucified, Mary stood beside him until the very end. Then she helped prepare Jesus’ body for burial and went with the mother of Jesus and some other friends to mourn. Mary was very sad. She prayed and cried un til early Sunday morning. As the sun was rising, Mary ran to the tomb with some other women to anoint his body with •,y* perfumed oils. But they found the tomb empty. They were frightened. Mary stayed crying outside the tomb. Suddenly she felt the presence of someone behind her. She turned around and saw a man she thought was the gardener. “Please tell me where you have carried the body of Jesus,” she begged him. The man answered, “Mary.” Then she knew it was Jesus! He was alive! He had risen from death! “Rabbouni” (meaning “teacher”), she cried out. A few minutes later Jesus left her. She ran back to tell the other disciples that she had seen Jesus alive. She was the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection. Later Mary became an important woman in the first Christian com munities. The church honors her as St. Mary Magdalene on July 22. (Ms. Manternach is the author of catechetical works, scripture stories and original stories for children.) What do you think? □ Why is Easter a great day for the people of the church? What can make Easter special for you? From the bookshelf In Flight of the Sparrow by Julia Cunningham, a 10-year-old orphan is befriended by Mago who gives her the name “Little Cigarette.” He shares his world, the streets of Paris and the people in it, both good and evil, with her. And he gives her the courage to survive. But, in one instance, she hurts someone. She steals a valuable painting from Michel, an artist who has helped her. After stealing, she flees Paris and her friend Mago to try and make things right. This is a power ful story in which life ultimately overcomes death. (Pantheon Books Inc., 201 E. 50th St., New York, N.Y. 10022.1980. Hardback, $6.99.)
