Of course they feel the wrenching pain of an infant death. The cross is no stranger to their lives. But neither is the resurrection. If our preaching is to link us with the paschal mystery of Christ, if we are to help bridge the proclamation of the Word with the breaking of the bread, then we must grapple with this paradox. Each celebration of the Eucharist is a reminder for us that if we wish to save our lives we must lose them.
Eucharistic thanksgiving holds as one the mystery of life and death.
Our society teaches us to avoid death at all cost. Gray hair becomes the anti-Christ and national security our common god. To preach a saving Word is to call our Church back to the witness of the cross. We celebrate and protect life while we embrace and prepare for death. Brian J. Pierce, O.P., has worked extensively in Central America and currently lives as a member of a contemplative Christian ashram in Oklahoma .