Keeping it simple, and profound

Father Chet distributed Holy Communion to a young girl at the dedication of Glenmary's St. Teresa of Kolkata Catholic Church.

Photo by John Feister

My first priestly assignment in 1973 took me to Morehead, Ky. Glenmary’s mission territory covered six counties including three churches and campus ministry at Morehead State University. One of the football coaches at the school told me, “We use the ‘KISS technique’ here.” He responded to my puzzled look by saying “K I S S: Keep It Simple, Stupid.”

Many years later I smile recalling the encounter— but also the wisdom it expressed. While keeping it simple may not be best in every situation, surely it constitutes great advice in many instances.

And how about the central truth of our faith in the Resurrection? Could we really refer to Easter as simple? To be sure, something that shatters the limits of our comprehension would not seem to qualify for that designation. Jesus had no instructional guide for reference before his resurrection (though I suppose we could smile and say, “He wrote the book!”). Complex gives way to unfathomable in trying to grasp—how?

While standing in awe before this mystery, I do think there is a simple message for us that is so very basic to our faith: “God gave us eternal life” (1 John 2:25). There you have it, God’s gift to us. From a God who loved us so much that He embraced crucifixion on Good Friday. A God who loved us so much that He didn’t want a world without us. A God who loved us so much that He wants our company forever and wants us to reunite with our loved ones separated by the curtain of death.

Eternal life. Sounds simple, yet of course, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has in store for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). The specifics are fuzzy, demanding faith. Sometimes a word like “everlasting” can be misleading, suggesting a simple continuation of what we daily experience, whereas “eternal” perhaps opens it to realms unknown.

Certainly we celebrate the arrival of the Christ Child with great joy— but the birth receives recognition because of what transpired about 33 years later. For every heart broken by loss through death, the great Paschal Candle stands tall in our sanctuaries, symbolizing Christ’s promise of eternal life. “I am the resurrection and the life” ( John 11:25). As we are baptized into Christ’s death, we are baptized into His resurrection. It is that simple— and profound.

Our missioners are very busy preparing to celebrate again these central mysteries of our faith. They will be overjoyed to welcome new members, sharing God’s promise of eternal life. For those who embrace the Catholic faith for the first time this Easter and for all of us who have been part of it already, it is a time to reflect on God’s promise and to rejoice in the hope it provides in the midst of our losses and tears.

Thank you so much for enabling us to share this incredible Good News. On behalf of all of us at Glenmary, we wish you a deep and joyous Easter Season. Indeed, it is really pretty simple:

HE IS RISEN AS HE SAID. ALLELUIA!!