Easter Faith; Ever Green!

The Spectacle of Saints blog this week comes to us via Rome, where Brother Brandon Paluch is currently studying in the Seminary and living with Marianist brothers from around the world. Bro. Brandon was involved in the conception of Marianist PULSE and has been an advocate for the program since the beginning. He graciously took the time to share his thoughts on Easter and "ever-green" faith here:

Whatever happened to the palms with which people welcomed our Lord into Jerusalem? Eventually, I suppose, they dried up. What had once been lively and green became stiff and brown, mere dust. The initial excitement of those who waved them met the same fate, drying up when expectations of a mighty Messiah went unmet. Though they had marveled at Jesus' deeds, they failed to grasp his deepest identity. 

On Palm Sunday, I made a little pilgrimage via public transit and, from the bus, was delighted to see so many people throughout Rome carrying their blessed palm fronds and olive branches. I was headed to the Catacombs of Priscilla where our Christian ancestors laid their beloved dead and inscribed images of faith and hope. One such symbol is ivy, chosen to represent eternal life in Christ because ivy is ever green. It is difficult to appreciate just how much this meant to the early Christians. Though the Roman Empire sought their extermination, they held fast. Some gave everything for One they had never met in person but who mysteriously lived among them. In the midst of persecution, they cast their lot with the Crucified and Risen One, hoping against hope for life and love beyond death. Unlike the capricious crowd in Jerusalem that dried up, these early Christians, united with Jesus, were ever green. 

Many of us were first drawn into the Marianist family by a warm welcome to an inclusive community. Marianist communities can be true oases in our world, signs of resurrection, where we find ourselves and each other. Upon receiving such a treasure, we may enthusiastically wave our palm fronds, elated by the gifts community can bring: friendship, belonging and meaning. Yet we press on from the palms to the ivy. As Marianists we are called to be rooted ever more deeply in Jesus Christ. As Pope Francis says, "we are convinced from personal experience that it is not the same thing to have known Jesus as not to have known him," (1) so we feel the urgency to share the gospel with others.

Recently, the white travertine of the Colosseum turned not green, but blood red, as a sign of solidarity with Christians persecuted for professing the same faith we do. A Nigerian woman shared her testimony of being captured and tortured by operatives of Boko Horam who demanded her renunciation. With the same Spirit as the early Christians she refused, clinging to her rosary and to Christ. We Marianists are members of the same suffering, crucified and risen Body. If called to bear witness, would we be found sufficiently green with His life? Jesus is risen and whoever remains in him—no matter what—will be ever green.

After the long bus ride to the catacombs, we descended to find the oldest image in existence of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from around 150 A.D. Our Blessed Mother is depicted with Christ on her lap, a sight which must have consoled those who looked upon it.

Like them, we too turn to Mary for comfort, strength and missionary direction. Pausing before that ancient, faded icon, I said a prayer for you, asking Mary to root us in her Son who is risen, who makes all things new and ever green!

Pace e Bene,
Brandon Paluch, SM
(1) Evangelii Gaudium #266

Bro. Brandon with MP1 at his Perpetual Vows