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LIFE IS CHANGED AND WILL BE DIFFERENT BUT ... "IT GOES ON".
(Homily reflection on the Gospel of Luke 24:13 -35 delivered by Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and Bishop of Grand Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador at the Ecumenical Service for the passengers and crew of Cougar Flight 49)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
On the road to Emmaus the two disciples of Jesus were sad as they had suffered a great loss with the death of Jesus their friend. Like us they were plunged into gloom because someone they loved had died a tragic and horrible death. What were they talking about? What else but the death of their friend. Here was someone who was a good man which was proved by the things he said and did, yet now, he was dead. It’s hard to believe that their hopes & dreams of a short time ago were now reduced to rubble. However, in their darkest moment light came from the most unexpected source, Jesus Himself, through the scripture and breaking of bread open their minds to the great mystery. Jesus joins us in our sorrow as he opens our minds and hearts to understand that beyond death there is life and that He is still walking with us on our journey.
We all experienced times when the power suddenly and unexpectedly goes off. The television goes blank, the computer shuts down and worst of all the lights go out and we are plunged into darkness. For a while at least we feel lost, helpless, afraid. Most likely we are angry because of the disruption of our plans. We want to know why this happened. We want to blame someone.
Tragedy which is almost always sudden is like a blackout. One moment the sun is shining, the next moment it is dark night. Without the slightest warning or a chance to prepare ourselves we are plunged into darkness. In the space of a minute our whole life is changed. Nothing can prepare us for something like this, or save us from its devastating effects. Naturally, we want to know why it happened. Sometimes there are human factors. But often we just don’t know. However there is a tendency to say “it is the Will of God”. Let us be perfectly clear God did not want this tragedy to happen.
“Signs Of Light In The Goodness And Care Of So Many”
At times like this there is only one thing we can do, just as in a blackout we rush for the humble candle so now we rush for the only light that can penetrate this awful darkness, namely the Light of Christ.
Last Thursday those men and women going to work as they had so often before on the rig, kissed their spouses good bye, gave a hug to their children and probably said I love you and I’ll be home for Easter. A few hours later they heard the terrible news that a helicopter had gone down in the ocean off the Coast. With that news a numbness comes over us, our lives were plunged into darkness as we are filled with fear as we waited for news. News that one had been rescued and the body of Allison recovered gave some hope that there might be others but then as all hope faded and the search was called off we entered into darkness. We shook our heads and said "It can’t be-- he made the trip so many times, he can’t be dead only yesterday we had breakfast together and we touched each other." Others said "it can’t be we had a game of cards last evening, and still other said we had plans for the Easter holiday". Then little by little the darkness deepens our minds are confused and our bodies are numb as we experience new motions and we say to ourselves "yes they are gone".
Like the candle in the darkness or the disciples on the road to Emmaus we see signs of light in the goodness and care of so many. Those at Cougar and Husky offer any resource they can, an do all in their power to help. The search and rescue make valiant efforts as they scan the ocean from above and on the water. Chaplains bring the light and compassion as the meet with the families. The RCMP offer assistance. Light comes to families when they gather together to be with one another and to listen to each other and hold and touch each other. Neighbours and friends offer support across this province and across the Country. The do this by phone and text messages. We all talk to each other as we listen to the media as they tell us the efforts to recover the bodies. Prayers are offered in Churches, Synogues, Temples and Mosques asking God to give peace to the living and eternal rest to the dead. Some express their grieve and search for light by bringing flowers and lighting candles.
"THOSE WHO MAKE THEIR LIVING FROM THE SEA"
Tragedy is no stranger to those who make their living from the sea –
Newfoundlanders & Labradorians are a hard working people attached to the ocean and for years they fished the Coast of the Province and down to the Labrador and sailed on the Grand Banks and many lie in watery graves. Today Newfoundland and Labrador out of proportion to our numbers man our navy ships and many earn their living on ships around the world. In recent years the off shore has become a way of life for many. This work is hard and dangerous but these hard working people have always taken the risks and done what was necessary to provide for their families & loved ones.
This tragic loss of life will be told in song and story from generation to generation as our ancestors have shared stories with us. This sharing gives us hope that life will go on but will never be the same. Because Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are a faith filled and caring people the light of Christ has always come back into our lives. At this time we feel new emotions and fear for the future – let us continue to love and pray because the same Christ that walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus walks with us and will bring light back into our lives.
I remember once reading in one of the poems from Robert Frost. In that poem one line that remains in my mind is: “In three words I can tell you all I have learned about life 'It goes on'. My dear people, this evening many of us will leave with heavy hearts to face the time ahead but from my experience in life I say the same thing. Life is changed and will be different but ... "It goes on".
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