Historic St. George’s Episcopal Church
135-32 38th Ave.
Flushing, N.Y. 11354
www.SaintGeorgesFlushing.org
4/3/12
Dear Parish Family and Friends:
Our Lenten journey has taken a sharp turn into the mystery of Holy Week. We have
been on a journey of soulful and prayerful reflection into the humanity of Christ. His
unrelenting capacity to remain true to himself, even in the shadow of the Cross has
nurtured our faith, and trust in a higher vision. Strangely connected to this, I often think
of the earth with awe as a living planet tucked away in a galaxy surrounded by billions of
stars in a seemingly lifeless universe, yet here we are on a planetary sphere where
everything living pushes toward life. I am not a student of Friedrich Nietzche - I am not
smart enough for that - but I recently came across this quote that had some resonance
with me: “You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.”
The life of Jesus was riddled with chaos. He inspired and brought hope to the down
trodden, the outcasts, and the oppressed. He antagonized those who chose death over life.
His persecutors were always lurking in the shadows waiting for an opportunity to seize
him. Their scheming against him was relentless and finally, upon his entry into
Jerusalem, he was arrested, taken before corrupt authorities, and crucified. The ordeal
before him was one he did not want. He sweated blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, yet
he remained true to his vision. Once the gift of “seeing” has been bestowed upon you,
there is no turning back. Good Friday is anything but good, yet from the chaos of this
brutal crucifixion, we see the emergence of a dancing star. Easter is in on the horizon…
Holy Week is a solemn time during which Lent intensifies and reaches a crescendo.
Chaos is ever present during Holy Week, but in the end it is followed by a celebration of
Easter joyfulness. During the Great Vigil of Easter we pass from darkness to light, from
death to life. Easter Lilies and not the arid purples of Lent become the new symbols of
our communal lives. This is something we embrace with elation, but we acknowledge
that this is only possible after the desert experience.
I anticipate many people will come to old St. George’s on Easter Sunday. The joy of
Easter will abound. The colors of Easter will be celebrated, but sadly, the true experience
of Easter will be lost on most. This is so because most will have avoided the desert
experience. Paradoxically, it is only from the chaos of the desert, that we can truly
embrace and recognize Resurrection when we see it. Everything else is just pie in the
sky.
I invite us all to the observance of a solemn Holy Week. Holy Week calls us to
recognize, and surrender the chaos in our lives to the source of Life. Sustained by holy
grace we will give birth to a dancing star, and celebrate Easter. Let us not forget the
words of Nietzche: “You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.”
I wish you all a blessed Holy Week, and a joyful Easter celebration.
In God’s Service,
Wilfredo Benitez+
The Rev. Wilfredo Benitez,
Rector