HOLY HOMEWORK

We Love Our Easter Pothole

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The worst winter in 30 years has left its imprint on New York City pavement in the form of potholes; lots of them. Dings, dents and damages take a back seat for those drivers who must replace a steering rod every three months due to these asphalt chasms. It's enough to make people take public transportation, unless they earn a living by operating one of the city's 13,605 taxis or more than 40,000 other for-hire vehicles.

Bear in mind the Empire State is not number one in the nation when it comes to these macadam cavities. Imagine what it must be like to maneuver a motor vehicle around one of the five states that rank ahead of us when it comes to rim-eating road craters. So, what's a Catholic cabbie to do? Offer it up? That's certainly one option. But there's an alternate approach, which is just as Christian and more in keeping with the reason for this season.

Since winter patches are temporary, the more permanent pothole fixes have to wait till springtime. So instead of getting upset, we can shift to a more spiritual solution for enduring these bumps in the road. And this solution fits rather nicely with the coming of Easter, particularly the Paschal Triduum, which begins with the Last Supper on Holy Thursday and concludes with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. The fractures in the freeway on our way to work can actually conjure up some very valuable meditations, if we let them.

o Holy Thursday, Men at Work

Ever pass by one man shoveling while two others are leaning? Instead of lamenting the apparent lack of bang for tax bucks, we can offer a genuine prayer for the flagmen and crew workers. If we assume this kinder attitude toward others, we mirror the humble, kneeling position that Christ took when he washed his disciples' feet. Plus it affords us time to ask: How often are we quick to judge people instead of giving them the benefit of the doubt?

o Good Friday, No Easy Path to Calvary

GPS trackers may be able to suggest a less-congested route, but so far they haven't been able to give us a heads up on which highways are filled with fissures. And until they do, we will have to swerve to avoid bumping into a street gap. But this veering action can also remind us to ask: How seriously are we steering clear of the temptation to sin? The daily crosses we must bear are rarely lightweight and the passage to our personal Calvary is neither paved nor smooth.

o Holy Saturday, The Unmovable Mausoleum

Ironically, instead of rejoicing when the tar trucks are on the scene, we get frustrated because they force us to merge into fewer lanes or, even worse, bring traffic to a screeching halt. Now we're no longer hitting holes at 55 miles per hour because we're standing dead still. This is the moment to breathe, relax and use this downtime to meditate on death, as the saints did. Holy Saturday is tomb day. What legacy will we leave behind for the benefit of others when we're buried beneath a cold stone marker?

o Easter Sunday, Commuters Are Up to Speed

Alleluia, eventually the roads get repaired and traffic moves along nicely. Easter is akin to driving on a newly opened, free-of-charge expressway. No bumps, no clefts, no tolls to pay. Just clear sailing and sunny skies ahead for as far as the eye can see. This is a driver's taste of heaven. Do we remember to thank God when our lives are well tuned and running fine?

For Holy Homework:

Affix a small sign to the dashboard that reads: We Love Our Easter Potholes. When a passenger asks why, explain: “These bumps force us to slow down in this hectic, stressful world. These holes give us time to pause and meditate on the more important aspects of life.” Keep this reminder note on display until June 8, the end of the Easter Season this year, when all of the potholes will be gone, hopefully.

Comments can be sent to: FatherBobPagliari@Yahoo.com