I was sitting down in front of my computer at work, not knowing what to write for an Easter Reflection.  What does one write in times such as these?  And then, I turned my head and contemplated a framed picture of my daughter, Clara, and me with a quotation from Matthew’s Gospel: “Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”.  In the picture, we have chocolate smoothies in front of us, we have big smiles and Clara is pointing at them.

Every time I look at that picture, it makes me smile.  And with Matthew’s quotation under it, it brings a deeper meaning.  Most of us have heavy burdens, some more than others.  God wants us to be happy.  He doesn’t like to see people sleeping in the streets; She doesn’t like to see people being bombed in their homes; He doesn’t like to see children being separated from their parents.  She wants us to live in abundance.  The smoothies are like that abundant life that God wants us all to have.

And in that picture, Clara and I are inviting all those “who labour and are heavy laden” to come and share a “chocolate smoothie”.  I believe God is saying to Clara and me in that picture that it is up to us to say to others “I will give you rest”.  I will give you a home; I will console you; I will work for justice on your behalf.  Isn’t that what Jesus did and isn’t that what He is calling us to do?  And is it not up to each one of us to give rest to each other?

Easter is fast approaching.  With it, the resurrection of Jesus and the abundant life that God wants for all of us.  Share a “chocolate smoothie” with someone who may need a bit of rest.

Norbert Piché
Country Director