Lent Lesson 2010

At stations of the cross last week, the young people at our parish presented Living Stations. Using a large screen, back lighting and sound effects, shadow images of the Christ's walk to Golgotha appear larger than life size.

This year the kids used station readings from the point of view of a migrant in the United States. I was not ready for what they taught me however...

A few parishioners do not think the Living Stations are "catholic" enough. Also, migrants take the money they earn back to Mexico with them and on and on. I however am a forward thinking individual who has the plight of the Mexican migrant in my heart and blah, blah blah...........

During the presentation of the stations and really listening to the readings, I was struck with the fact that they said nothing of migrants from Mexico. The readings could have fit any of the peoples who have tried to make a better life here and found bigotry and hatred. I was forced to face my own prejudice and self righteousness.

I am going to have to sit with this a while longer as I do when I realize truth. Lent has had a surprise for me every year for a long time now. Some pleasant and some that shake the comfortable place where I have been sitting.