Christian Reflection and Prayer

Acts 10:34,37-43; Psalms 118:1-2,16-17,22-23;
Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9

"He saw and He believed" (John 20:8).

A true story recounted by a man who celebrated
Easter Sunday in a big cathedral ...

It was a beautiful Spring day and a sense of
peace stayed with me as I left the Cathedral. 
I paused on top of the steps leading to the
Avenue, now crowded with people, and there,
sitting in her usual place under a small archway
was the elderly woman know to many of us
Church-goers as the "Flower Lady."  At her
feet were corsages and boutonniere spread
out on an open newspaper.

The flower lady was smiling, her wrinkled
old face alive with some inner-joy.  I started
down the stairs, and on an impulse, I turned
and picked out a flower.  As I put it in my lapel,
I said to the woman, "You look happy this
morning."  She replied, cheerily, "Why not? 
Everything is good."  She was dressed so
shabbily and she seemed so very old, that
her reply startled me.

"You've been sitting here every Sunday for
many years," I said to her, "and you're always
smiling, you wear your troubles well."

"You can't reach my age and not have troubles,"
she replied, "only it's like Jesus and Good Friday."

She paused for a moment, then added,
"You see, when Jesus was crucified on Good
Friday that was the worst day for the world. 
And when I get troubles I remember that. 
And then I think of what happened only three
days later.  Easter, and Our Lord, arising. 
So, when I get troubles, I learn to wait three
days.  And, somehow, everything gets all right
again."

And she smiled "Good-bye," and her words
still follow me whenever I think I have troubles.

CHRIST IS RISEN!