Resurrection

Notre Dame du Paris seen from across the river.

The above title is a little over the top but that’s what it seems not only in the district where I am living in Paris, but for the whole city.  The streets are filling again, stores and restaurants have re-opened and kids are walking around with new clothes and school supplies.  Even nature seems refreshed as the evenings now have the fresh cool of an approaching autumn.

Illuminations of the Memorial of the Deportation, Paris.

There has been another aspect of new life.   As the tourists and visitors depart (myself included), we give back the city to the Parisians.  Yes, we take our Euros, Dollars, Pounds, Yen etc. but we give them the chance to live unencumbered again.   Visitors will always be here but we wont smother the good people of Paris till next spring.

Memorial of the Deportation, Paris.

For me, this influx or return of vitality only excites me about the “resurrection” that occurs each September at Incarnation.  The beginning of the new pastoral year is always filled with tremendous excitement and possibilities.  It always reminds me of the phrase from Scripture:   “I make all things new.”

Notre Dame du Paris as een from the Parc Jean XXIII.

This “newness” or novelty is in all of us because of the Life of Christ, which we share.  I have spent over five months rediscovering and relishing this Divine Gift of Renewal.  I hope to bring with me on my return a wellspring of what I have received as well as to continue drinking in what will be shared with me my by my people.