Monsters in My Room

My friend’s daughter has a fear of monsters in her room at night.  Finally, after a bad night, she said to her daughter “You know, God’s love is stronger than monsters.”  The daughter replied, looking incredulous “It is?”  Her mom said” Yes, it is the strongest thing in the whole wide world.” 

This mom proceeded to ask the 7 year old what she could do to remind herself of this in case she woke up and was scared again.  The little girl decided that she would draw two strong arms, with flexed muscles, and a heart.

At church on Sunday, I talked to the children about Holy Week and Jesus death on the cross.  He was killed because he broke the rules and the people in charge were not happy with that.  He died, but his love did not die.  It just got stronger and stronger.

This is the paradox of Good Friday and Easter.  The monsters of betrayal and fear of change; the mob mentality that went from welcoming a messiah to crying out “crucify him”; these creatures of the power of death tracked Jesus through the last week of his life to the cross. In the end, it was the strong arms of life-giving love that rolled away the stone from the tomb and the stones of fear from the disciple’s hearts. 

We each have our monsters.  They may be imaginary, they may be real.   Abuse, addictions, worry, debt, poverty, greed, are just a few.   Monster doses of radio-active fall out are leaking from the nuclear reactor in Japan.  This contamination is making its way around the planet.  It is rumoured that Japanese government officials are more concerned about keeping people calm than telling the truth about the high levels of radiation being emitted from the plant.

Let us pray for wisdom and courage for the leaders and scientists who are trying to end the nightmare at Fukishima.

May the strong arms of divine love give you courage to face your fears.