Edward Hays ~ Author, Artist & Storyteller
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Ashen Grim-faced Christians

2/13/2013

 

Ashen Grim-faced Christians

Dear old and new friends,

    Today, Ash Wednesday, in past centuries repentant sinners guilty of serious public sins and scandal were marked with the sign of an ashen cross as they began their forty harsh days of public penance. If you don’t fall into that category, Lent can be a season of spiritual renewal of prayer and works of charity. Another choice is forty days of preparation for Easter. Regardless which you choose, across it likely will fall the dark shadow of the cross of ascetic, self-inflicted denials of bygone gloomy Lenten days. This old negative spirit still influences how Christians spend Lent, even those who no longer attend church.

If you choose a Lent of spiritual rejuvenation of your prayer and acts of charity, then engage in them daily with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. If your choice is forty days of Easter training, then daily deepen your belief in the resurrection by practicing joyfulness and cheerful playfulness—especially dealing with evil.

The following is a true story, a Lenten parable for confronting evil. Leo Alard became the first Hispanic Episcopal bishop in the United States. In the 1960’s he was a young priest and pastor of a racially integrated parish in Chattahoochee, Florida. The local Ku Klux Klan detested this racially mixed church and one night the white-hooded Klan’s men erected a fiery cross on the church lawn. Inside the church, its youth group was meeting with Father Alard whose reaction to the racist burning cross was not with prayer—but play. In prophetic playfulness he led his youth group outside to roast marshmallows at the flaming cross!

Lent leads to Easter Sunday, the joyous festival of Jesus being raised from the dead, and also that same triumph for us, his disciples. Yet life after death for many, if not most, is only a wish, a hesitating hope, instead of a core religious belief. Easter fuses with joyfulness for those convinced death cannot rob them of life and so say, “I am, I shall be and I shall continue to be!” Those who profess this as their core Easter belief live joyous lives of impulsive cheerfulness and undefeatable delight.

If heaven sent a drone flying over the world to send back pictures of true believing Christians, it would relay back few images! Become a Credo Christian, a Believer Christian, and by smiling cheerfulness and optimism in a personal Easter have your daily life transformed into an enduring “Merry Easter.”
Alex Szollo link
2/16/2013 07:43:26 am

Dear Father Hays,
My name is Alex Szollo, I am 22 years old, and I'm an avid reader and God-lover living in Timisoara, Romania. I have been involved in a continuous love story with the written word ever since the age of 3 and a half, when my mother discovered that her effort of teaching me the letters to compensate my Cerebral Palsy had paid off. My love for reading became entwined with my love of God: the first book I've ever read from cover to cover was a children's version of the Bible. I still own that book and credit it with bringing me close to my Maker and turning me into a follower of Christ. I was baptized as a Roman Catholic, educated as an Eastern Orthodox(the majority of Romanians are Eastern Orthodox), came in contact with many Protestants and neo-Protestants, and, later in life, reached the conclusion that simply being called a Christian is enough of a description of my religious belief. I follow the One who proclaimed Himself to be the Way, Truth and Life, and I saw on your website that you said your books are written for everyone who seeks spiritual nourishment, regardless of their religious denomination. I'm very interested in one of your books, THE PASSIONATE TROUBADOUR. Why? Because it celebrates the exact opposite of what some people assume Catholics to be: the opposite of the "ashen, grim-faced Christians" that the title of this post mentions. Saint Francis, in my view, is an icon of joy, and I'd love to know him better through the power of your God-inspired words. Sadly, the book is not available over here in Romania, and I cannot order it online, as I have no credit card. I come to you with a daring, yet humble request, and I solemnly promise that you may treat my request however you see appropriate.
The only "payment" I could provide for a copy of THE PASSIONATE TROUBADOUR is a review on my blog where I talk about all kinds of fiction books, from historical fiction to religious fiction, sci-fi and fantasy. It would be an honor for me to feature a novel about one of the most iconic saints that ever lived, written by a true follower of The Divine Mystery. So if I sent you my home address and promised a review of THE PASSIONATE TROUBADOUR on my blog when I finish reading it, could you send me a signed copy of your epic novel? Once again, you may treat my request however you see fit. Any type of response will be treated with the greatest deal of respect. May the grace of God surround you and your loved ones and inspire you as it has for all your years as a priest, author, artist and storyteller.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Szollo, God-hungry historical fiction enthusiast.

Jim Henderschedt
2/18/2013 02:07:23 am

Right on!

Jacquelyn Mate
2/20/2013 02:19:15 am

To Edward Hays...I read the book Alex is requesting. It is fantastic. If you have not sent him a copy please let me know as I would like to send one to him. I am of eastern European descent...spent a month in Poland last year...I. have been struggling with my Catholic faith...I wish more priests etc. were like you...

Tom Skorupa
2/24/2013 07:12:53 pm

Again, Edward, a great follow-up to the last blog. Just as the suffering expressed in the wounds of Christ on the cross are the flip side of resurrection joy and his radiating, glorious wounds, the ongoing conversion, renewal, and even discipline of our Lenten "work" is meant to be infused with cheerful Easter enthusiasm.

And I appreciate the Eastern European theme emerging in this blog date, Edward. I'll add my personal Polish praise of The Passionate Troubador, which does indeed express the playful joy and resilient spirit of a living faith, and which, as Alex says, sums up your creative life work. You have lived out the belief that "even death cannot rob us of life.

So, to all of you who have contributed to this conversation, I extend a threefold wish. Echoing our Sufi friends: "Have a happy death" and a happy Lent, and as you said, Edward, "Have a Merry Easter" to cap it off!


Comments are closed.


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