Happy Easter: From Tragedy to Hope

As we celebrate Easter this weekend, we reflect on the rising of Christ from his crucifixion and on the heartbreaking and shocking fire that engulfed the Cathedral de Notre Dame de Paris last Monday in Paris, France. As we all watched in horror the fire that burnt the roof of the cathedral, there was good news that emerged 12 hours later that the exterior foundation of the cathedral and the two north towers were saved by the firefighters. The excellent strategy and courage of the firefighters saved the total destruction of the cathedral which is the heart and soul of France and the French people. The first photos that emerged from the fire showed the main altar with its golden cross of Jesus, the Pieta with the Virgin Mary and the surrounding angels are all intact. Even the famous Rose stained windows are all intact. The fire fighter pastor was able to save the relics especially the crown of thorns, some priceless works of arts and the blessed sacraments. One of the miracles is that the copper rooster, symbol of France that was on the tip of the spire that burnt, was recovered and found to be slightly damaged. The rooster had the relics of St. Denis, St Genevieve and a thorn from the crown of thorns inside, placed to protect Paris. It was touching to see that there were french people praying on the streets of Paris for the Notre Dame. The hope here is that with collective effort, the cathedral will be rebuilt. We thank God, Mother Mary and the firefighters for saving the Notre Dame. We witness a miracle of the cross still standing and from this ruin, a united effort to rebuild which is truly a message of Easter.