EASTER - A TIME FOR CHANGE

Easter time. A time where Christians around the world remember, that Jesus Christ gave his life for the people of this world. He was crucified, but death had no lasting grip on him. He resurected.

The VIA CHRISTI of Alejandro Santana in Patagonia, in the south of Argentina puts the story of Jesus into perspective with life today. That latin american work shakes visitors from around the world through its expressive art and vivid history. There, the story of Christ and the story of the country - the land of the American Indians, the so called Mapuches - seams to almost scream at the spectator. The thoughts that rise up during the walk through the VIA CHRISTI park are thoughts that we have to deal with again and again during our life. Thoughts like: Jesus Christ took upon his shoulders the suffering and injustice of the world. He was crucified, gave his blood and life for the others - even strangers and "enemies". He did this consciously - not as a failure - out of pure love.

 

In Patagonia, less then 150 years ago the last great genocide took place when the Spanish General Roca ordered the "Limpideza" of Patagonia, meaning the murdering of hundreds of thousands of Mapuche Indians.
This is History. The History of Jesus. The history of a foreign country. What does that have to do with our live? What kind of a history do we want to "write" with our own life?

 

Where - today - do WE feel crucified by the behaviour of people around us? And where - in our daily life - are WE like a General Roca crucifiying people around us, with our negative thoughts, behaviour and actions? Do we like to continue the way we life, or is it time for a change? For example where can WE be more loving, where can WE practice more understanding, where can WE be more forgiving?

 

Memories of Easter in Assisi come to my mind. Assisi, the medieval hometown of Saint Francis. Saint Francis - in a few words - is one of these people that made a radical change. First born into a wealthy family, he enjoyed life, celebrating parties etc...At the age of about 25 he heard God´s call and then followed it, leaving behind his old life. First people thought he would be crazy. They threw dirt and stones after him and gossiped openly and loudly. But Francis kept on his way. His fervour made people think and after a while they were not only astonished by his way of living so radically for God. Countless wanted to do the same. They gave up their former life with all its plagues and comforts and began to follow Francis. Up to this day - about 800 years later, there are Franciscans all over the world. People that gather to follow with him the footsteps that Jesus Christ had set 2000 years ago. They chose to follow a path of love. A path toward peace and understanding.

 

One person can change countless. One!
Where do we want to go? What do we want to do with our life? What history do we want to "write"?

More photos and information on the Via Christi: www.viachristi.blogspot.com