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I am writing this blog in the office of the school chaplain at Fisher More before going to celebrate with a school community that is grieving. In the rooms next-door people are making cards and writing messages for Calvin and Crystal. All around the parish and beyond there are feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, pain, and disbelief. As soon as we have celebrated Mass here in school then I am setting off to Gatwick to see the family tonight before they are put back on a plane to Pakistan tomorrow. And in the eyes of many people the campaign has failed. It certainly has failed as regards our attempts to keep the Karim family here as part of our parish.
But our faith is not about success in human terms, indeed the cross is a sign of ultimate failure in human eyes but through the eyes of faith it is a sign, the sign of triumph over pain, suffering, even death itself. And there are times when we can do little else but hold onto the cross of Christ. In fact there are now 'Holding Crosses', which are designed for people who are in pain and cannot do anything else except hold onto the cross. It is a very powerful prayer for all of us as at this time when words dissolve in the face of such a sad situation. Today we must hold up the cross and hold onto the cross.
As we do that we must also remember that the cross is the key to the new life of the resurrection: the light that can shine even in the darkest moments of life. Just as the cross is processed into the church on Good Friday, so the Paschal candle, the sign of Christ risen from the dead, symbolises Christ is with us now on our journey. So as we hold onto the cross, we should also light a candle for the family and one for ourselves to remind us that Christ is with us at this time.
At this moment in time people are in contact with the church in Karachi to try and make sure that they will be welcomed when they arrive by people who can find them a safe place to be. This is a time for us to hold onto our faith and hold fast.
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Holy Saviour RC Church - Nelson