My sister’s new home is a small ranch property located in a neighborhood of sorts consisting of 10 small ranches along a dirt road. My sister’s property is at the very end of the private road. The road has been a mess pretty much since they moved in a few months ago and is in desperate need of repair and new rock. Most of the property owners got together and discussed how to go about it. Some people live at the very beginning of the road and don’t have much interest in it. Others had their own ideas of how it should be taken care of. There has been a lot of drama and emails being exchanged all revolving around the road. My sister’s husband finally took matters into his own hands, bought a tractor, and ordered the rock. He let everyone in the complex know what was happening very diplomatically, but refused to get caught up in the bickering. Today the project started. The rock was delivered and he went out to begin spreading it. Evidently the neighbors came out one a time and started to help. They were able to leave their disagreements and personality conflicts aside to work together for the greater good of them all.

Later in the evening, I saw many pictures of friends going to the Easter Vigil Mass. This is an especially beautiful service that begins in darkness (signifying Jesus in the tomb) and ends in full light so you can enjoy the blooms of the Easter flowers. Also at this time, people are Baptized and Confirmed into the faith. While I did not make it this year, I thought about all my friends who did. I prayed for all those who worked with the new Catholics and those around the world who made this commitment to Christ. I thought about these 2 events and how they are so similar. When people join a church, they are giving themselves to the greater good – trying to leave aside disagreements and personality issues. Of course, in the case of the church, the greater good is an amazing Father who created us and loves us. Once we get to know Him, we want to share that reality with others.

I Found God today in realizing how people can come together for the greater good of all, and this Easter I pray especially for all Christians to unite under the beautiful faith we have received.