I have learned that my flight that was delayed is now cancelled. The next available flight home will be in 12 hours and it will be an overnight flight. I have a choice either scream at the JetBlue customer service agent or write this story about my Holy Week with Fr. Erick at Divine Mercy in Las Vegas,
If you are searching for the “love of God” in your life, you might want to stop by this church. On Holy Thursday we put on aprons and humbly washed the feet of people. On Good Friday, a mom carrying her baby kissed the cross during the veneration while her baby’s little hands hugged Jesus on the cross. On Holy Saturday, I walked over to the statue with Jesus lying in the tomb and whispered: “How could God allow this to happen?” Then comes the surprise, “Jesus is alive “ on Easter morning. However, at Divine Mercy, you better duck because Fr Erick loves to sprinkle or rather “douse” his people with Easter water. Everyone goes home with smiles. They receive candles, Easter bread and blessed water and the children have their pictures taken with the Easter bunny and carry home an Easter pail filled with treats.
After Easter services, I planned to travel to Page, Arizona to take landscape photos of this beautiful land. Another surprise, Fr. Erick joined me on this adventure. My thanks to US park rangers Mo and Tracey who suggested sunrise and sunset sites. At 4:45 am, I was perched on a ledge next to another photographer from London looking over Horseshoe Bend.
I shared with Fr. Erick that before I take any photo, I am searching for the “one big thing.” I compare this search to the reason we come to church. It is to “find the love of Jesus.” In my photo, I am composing the shot in my mind looking at the foreground, leading lines, symmetry that will lead a person eye to what is most important in the composition. Jesus taught mercy and compassion, faith and trust, courage and respect. Our focus on the marginalized need our love, respect and support for we all are children of God and the spark God’s divine love lives in each one of us.
So…. I have another nine hours of waiting to board my cancelled flight, let me share some of my photos attached as my Easter gift to each of you.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends during this Easter Season that you bless them and their family and friends with health, joy and peace and know you are all in my prayers. Fr. Matt
