And in a moment, everything changed…
a phrase in a small picture frame that used to hang in Fr. Krizner’s rectory. It was the front of an Easter card he got some years ago and I remember him showing it to me, in awe of the message. I thought it kind of silly at first that he’d frame a greeting card picture. But of course it all makes sense now.
Change comes to all of us. And while often change is planned and exciting, more often it’s unexpected. As human beings, we’re not so good at the unexpected. But the truth is, that’s where God loves to surprise us!
God’s plan of salvation was made known since man’s beginning and through Jesus so many times. Yet how “unexpected” it came to his closest friends. Mary Magdalene, Peter, John and the other Apostles probably loved their life and ministry with Jesus and never wanted it to change. But it did. And the change was hard initially, but brought about the greatest of rewards they and all of us could ever hope for: the assurance that every discomfort prunes us for greater things, every pain and suffering leads to insurmountable joy, every loss of physical proximity with a close friend brings indescribable spiritual closeness… oneness… in the ultimate triumph of Life Eternal with the One who changed everything.
Much has happened one year later… and for our parish family of St. Colette – MANY good things, including Fr. Tim! We are so blessed! Like the first crocus that bloomed beneath the winter snow, our mourning, suffering, and gloom has been resurrected to newness of life and hope for the future. And that’s what’s supposed to happen. Could you imagine if the women who anointed Jesus remained in despair? Or if the Apostles had not “gone out” and proclaimed what they were taught? Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection was always meant to be shared… through us! Not kept in the tomb of our grief. And the same goes for our loved ones, including Fr. Krizner...shared through us. And in turn, we’ll be reminded of their presence (believe me, Fr. Krizner’s been busier than ever up there! I’m sure a good many of you would say the same:)).
That greeting card now it hangs in my office. I pass it every day and smile, reminded of the assurance of Easter: that Father, who believed in the Resurrection with all his heart walks with the ONE who changed everything.
God love you! Happy Easter! ~Sara
Join us Monday Evening April 1st at the 6:15PM Mass as it is offered for Fr. Krizner on the one-year anniversary of his resurrection to eternal life.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.