By Sister Lauretta
“As a butterfly soared overhead the caterpillar said to the other caterpillar, “You’ll never get me up in one of those things.” Yet, with every caterpillar the time comes when the urge to eat and grow subsides and it instinctively begins to form a chrysalis around itself. The chrysalis hardens and you’d think for absolutely sure the caterpillar is dead.
Then, in a spring morning, the life inside the chrysalis begins to writhe, the top cracks open and a beautifully-formed butterfly emerges. For hours it will stand, stretching and drying it wings, moving them slowly aloft, effortlessly riding the currents of the air and alighting on flower after flower as if to show off its vivid colors to the bright blossoms.”
The miracle of the butterfly never loses its fascination for us. But there is more to the story. The butterfly is a living parable of the promise of Resurrection! On Easter morning the disciples saw Jesus’ clothing lying on the cold slab. The body was gone, much like an empty chrysalis deserted by a butterfly that left to soar free. “He is risen as he said,” the angel proclaimed. So, we gather on Easter to celebrate Jesus’ victory over death. And his victory is our victory as well. In celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection we celebrate our own assurance of ultimate triumph over death.
Therefore, once again this Easter, as we enter the tomb, we are asked to leave behind all that is not of God and, in the process, learn to love the way Jesus loved, to forgive, care, reach out to all around us. Then we will experience what Jesus promised — new life. New life in his life! So, let us rejoice in the message that rings out throughout the world. Jesus is risen, risen in each one of our hearts. Jesus lives– he reigns– he is forever with us at our side, calling us to be with him today, tomorrow and forever. That is why we cannot help but sing “Alleluia!”