Years ago, I stumbled upon a little book by Julia Esquivel, the Guatemalan poet and social justice activist, titled “Threatened with Resurrection.” Those few words had a huge impact on me.
I’d been taught that death is the great threat and resurrection the great hope. But at the time I found Esquivel’s book, I was experiencing the death-in-life called depression. Her title jarred me into the hard realization that figurative forms of death sometimes feel comforting — while resurrection, or the hope of new life, feels threatening.
Why? Because death-in-life can bring us a perverse sense of relief. When I was depressed, nobody expected anything of me, nor did I expect anything of myself. I was exempt from life’s demands and risks. But if I were to find new life, who knows what daunting tasks I might be required to take on?
Sometimes we choose death-in-life (as in compulsive overactivity, unhealthy relationships, work that compromises our integrity, substance abuse, pervasive cynicism, etc.) because we’re afraid of the challenges that might come if we embraced resurrection-in-life.
Every religious tradition is rooted in mysteries I don’t pretend to understand, including claims about what happens after we die. But this I know for sure: as long as we’re alive, choosing resurrection is always worth the risk. I’m grateful for the people and experiences that continue to help me to embrace “the threat of resurrection.”
My Easter wish for everyone is the ability to say “YES!” to life. Even when life challenges us, it’s a gift beyond all measure…
PAT SAYS
“Is there life after death”, many ask.
Maybe a better question might be “Is there life before death”.
So many people are like the “living dead” – not living life to its full potential, seeing the half empty glass, rather than the half full, going around with the look of gloom on their faces.
Of course Jesus wants us to join him after we die.
But if we want that ultimate resurrection we must make every morning we wake up a daily resurrection, a day to live life, with joy, and infect others with our joy.
Resurrection, like all other exercises, needs to be practised to be made perfect.
If we want to “pull off” the ultimate resurrection we must have practised resurrection on a daily basis.
Its about becoming what we hope to achieve.
What are the stones in our lives that are keeping us imprisoned in some tomb of our own making?
Time to roll them back!
Happy Easter.
Happy resurrection 😁
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 
71 replies on “AN UPSIDE DOWN EASTER MEDITATION”
He is risen. Alleluia
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Happy Easter all. 😊
I liked the upside down or down side up meditation with Pat says comments.
Life to the full comes from the risen Lord through daily submergence in the Holy Spirit.
The sting of death is shattered through experiential knowledge of the Risen Lord in the here and now.😳
Surrender to, be submerged in, and imprisoned by, the Holy Spirit. 🙏
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Bullshit
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10:01
Thanks for sharing.
What are you doing on this blog?
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Happy and Blessed Easter all. May we all experience the touch of the Risen Lord and grow in His love
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7:59
Hello fly hi.
Beggora Fly, a Happy Clappy Easter to you en all. Hopin yer cup is flowin over today and ye didn’t have a runnie egg for brekkie or brunch. You’r soundin in fine form bro. You’r spot on fly hi. A touch of the Risen God is a burn never to be forgotten regardless of how many flies infest th oinment.
Say one for me too.
Bye fly hi.
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Happy Easter !
And so, this morning, my Easter joy is turned to incandescent fury at + Vincent / + Elsie on the radio. In a broad ranging interview, it inevitably came to the abuse scandal in the Church. And what does he do ? He parenthesises his comments about it by saying that it is a problem in society at large, in the world at large. In other words, it’s nothing exceptional that it is happening in the Church, and we are just the same as everybody else, so don’t just point the finger at us. In other words, more minimising, more transference, more sloping shoulders etc. We have seen it so many times. Every time he opens his mouth !
What does he not get ? Does he not realise that people do not care that it happens everywhere else ? Does he not get it that people are especially bothered that it is happening in the Church, their Church, because they have grown up being told by the Church and the likes of + Nichols that the Church is a model of a perfect society and rises about all other societies ? Does he not get it that people expect better of the Church and of their priests ?
+ Nichols is not a stupid man. But this constant parroting of the minimising argument that he consistently trots out indicates is not an issue of lack of intelligence, but of a mentality whereby he is incapable of recognising the existential damage and evil that has been done to victims and to the Church under his watch by him and his priests. He is just not able to get that, and therefore looks for all sorts of ways to avoid the harsh reality of the truth. He is emotionally, psychologically and mentally incapable of understanding this. He does not feel it. So all his find words mean just nothing. He needs to stand to one side and let other people manage this matter, in other words to simply accept the great evil that has been done and not make even the slightest excuse for it.
+ Nichols is not only an ambitious, arrogant man, he is also not the man to lead us in this crisis, he is not the man to speak for me and for the Church, and he needs to go ! The sooner the better. Papal Nuncio, if you are reading this (or one of your bureaucrat minions in Wimbledon, more likely), get rid of + Nichols for us. He has become toxic and every time he opens his mouth on this subject he perpetuates the damage that has been done to us and to the victims of abuse. Find us someone to lead us who will be humble, does not have + Nichols’ overarching ambition, and who will have the skills to accept the burden of guilt and ensure that our Church undertakes systemic and structural change to avoid anything like this happening again. We want a simpler, less clericalist, less hierarchical, more normal and healthy Church and clergy, that embraces everybody and values everybody, and uses the skills of everybody to the service of the Gospel. Men. Women. Families. Alternative. LGBTQ+. Failed. Sinful. Humble. These are the people we need to lead our Church, not ambitious clerical careerists like + Nichols.
Again, Happy Easter to all !
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8.46: On Easter Sunday morning, if you have nothing good, positive, uplifting or hope inspired to say, stay in your bed. It seems you have a particular narrative which we’ve heard repeatedly. Can you on this day at least, share some hope of the Risen Christ.
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9:42
On the contrary, I thought what was said at 8:46 not just good, but necessary; and, therefore, more than good.
But if you, like Nichols, won’t hear, then all the bellowing in the world cannot make you any the wiser.
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Excellent post at 8:46 am. Someone is bound to chip in that we should not be spoiling Easter with negative carping. Yet Easter is utterly radical and revolutionary; it demonstrates the futility of a keep-the-show-on-the-road mentality yet alone go back to the way things were in the past. Hope is that even now things are moving us to do better. I agree that Nichols is now the wrong man for any kind of leadership role in the Church; he is a manager and company man through and through. However there is nobody else anywhere, so what does that tell us about the clerical mafia? I am not going near a church this Easter and enjoying the sunshine instead. Break free and Happy Easter.
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What it tells us is that this old boys’ club has for decades selected mirror images of itself, company men, managers, nothing truly inspiring. Many of them need to move aside. Who will replace them, I know not. The most recent appointments, like Tubby Byrne Cong Orat, don’t inspire. I suppose the only one who seems grounded is the new man in Lancaster, + Swarbrick. And to answer the misery at 0942, the Easter message talks about new life. And new life we need and we will have as soon as we can get rid of +Vinny and his ilk and start to live the Gospel in a Church that is inclusive and honest.
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9.44: Your type should stay on a beach and flow out as far as possible with the waves! You critucise from the sidelines and haven’t an iota of concern about the Church. You love your few moments of feeling relevant by commentary on this blog. You are a hate inciter.
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I wondered if he’d refer to it in his homily last night but he steered clear. He had a moment of forgetfulness when he forgot the Nuncio’s name but got it on the third attempt…
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Well said at 8:46 am. Let’s face it though – the only place Nichols’ “overarching ambition” is going now is under a big stone slab in Westminster Cathedral -before he knows it – in a few short years.
And then his soul will be before his Maker and he will have to answer for his life and stewardship.
But you are right in what you have said. These pathetic creatures just don’t get it. They strike me as soulless functionaries. Lord, be merciful to their souls.
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I don’t think Nichols cares any more. It must be evident even to him that if he gets the white it will just be to push him forward as a sacrifice to the media. Frankly I hope he is reflecting on his life so far and thinking about where his rampant ambition has got him, but I doubt it. The inquiry into child abuse must have been like a bucket of cold water to him, so unused is he to being questioned. It must also have been a shock to realise not everyone thinks everything should be run for Elsie’s benefit.
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“Gets the white”?!? Who? Old Elsers?? 😂😂😂 He hasn’t, as they – how do you say it? – A HOPE IN HELL!!! 😂😂😆
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It might be more appropriate for many church hierarchs to wear sack cloth and ashes!
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Happy Easter and hope you have many blessings from the Risen Lord.
Sad to inform you that this current Papal Nuncio Archbishop Adams will not be making any appointments as he is retiring in August and a replacement is being found, however you can email him with your suggestions or write to him at Parkside.
The people of Southwark,East Anglia and Northampton were all in hope that appointments will be made however there is a possibility that Archbishop Roche who is at the Vatican just now maybe appointed to Southwark.
As for Cardinal Nichols is not due to submit his Archbishops letter till November 2020 so likely be 2023 before that is accepted.
Poor Archbishop Tartaglia looked terrible all weekend on web cam he is ill but awaiting an Auxiliary Bishop but does not look like he is getting one.
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LOL if I was a Cardinal I would want Elsie to be pope just to see him suffer in the coming tsunami. I don’t doubt that he has enemies among his fellow Cardinals!
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Archbishop Tartaglia of Glasgow is in good health now. A heart attach a few years ago but exercises regularly now and even has a Fitbit. Stop making up stories!
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Whats a fitbit?
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8:46
He is right. It is a problem that is wider than the churches.
You equate his comments “in other words” with a statement that it’s nothing exceptional that it’s happening int the church. He does not actually say this. This is your interpretation.
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4.07: Well said. Sexual abuse is not just a Church issue, horrendous as it is, but it suits too many critics not to accept and recognise this truth. The abuse of children and vulnerable people is a heinous crime which deserves our condemnation. All agencies and concerned individuals should work together to protect our children. Abuse by clerics is such a betrayal of trust. It is against what true priesthood is about, ie: the imitation of Christ. Let’s protect all children and let’s acknowledge all places in society where abuse occurs, institutions, homes, church…and work together to ensure the safest environment for all children. Abuse is multifaceted and it must be justly and morally condemned. The focus on church abuse scandals has ensured the silence of sufferers in other places!
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Thats not true. There has been talk of abuse in football, state homes, the scouts, swimming club.
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A fitbit is a keep fit watch monitor. and he forgot to say about the Gym installed in his basement for him..
+ Philip is blown up like a balloon and he is cutting every Mass Short.
It was not Rome it was in Spain that he got stents placed in his heart but it seems took ill at Rome on his Ad Limina and only last week he was asking for an Assist.
Father Paul is that you in South Side well known and part of the Curia well you certainly will not be in Clyde Street forever.
+ Philip cannot cope with the gay mafia in his Archdiocese or those c/o Clyde Street.
Strangely enough his family are concerned about his health….
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Easter joy is deeper than flimsy euphoria dear 8:46.
Vincent is contextualising the issue of the sexual abuse of children. Every issue is illuminated and more easily understood when situated in its context.
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Did he include the policy of cover up of abuse by the hierarchy?
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Isn’t it grand to be able to afford a gym in the basement and private health care, no doubt !
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Easter joy is deeper than flimsy euphoria dear 8:46.
Vincent is contextualising the issue of the sexual abuse of children. Every issue is illuminated and more easily understood when situated in its context.
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4:31pm
Did Vincent, contextualize Rcc abuse of children and vulnerable adults by making reference to the policy of systemic cover up by the hierarchy from the top down?
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8:46am
Happy Easter. 🔥Great post! 👍
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8 46: What a bundle of Easter joy, hope and new life you are! You obviously haven’t caught much, if any, of the peace of the Risen Christ. Surely this is a day to give encouragement and to be hope-filled. More armchair criticism. Get up and do something useful and constructive if you are that concerned…
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Resurrection is Gid’s defiance against death, not just physical death but any thing or any one that destroys our humanity, our dignity, our inate God-likeness. This kind of ‘death’ arrives through the nasty, unkind and vituperative words expressed in our everyday lives: it comes through vicious social media commentary where we feel an absolute right to say what we like: this death comes through defaming others through innuendo, hearsay and half truths. We can be unnecessarily merciless in our search for justice and truth that we tear each other apart. The incessant focus on the failings and sinfulness of others is an emational and spiritual death we inflict sometimes. The most awful ‘death’ to inflict is to sexually abuse another person, child, teenager or vulnerable person. This is a death of their dugnity, soul and spirit. Resurrection calls us to stand with God against all abuse, violence, pride, anger, enmity, to be with God and overcome all darkness and deaths with live, truth, justice and mercy.
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Well said, 11:03. Hear. Hear.
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Whis is Gid?
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Happy Easter to one and all.
I am reading The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr at the moment. It is very inspiring.
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Inspiring if you’re a heretic.
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Magna (God bless his tarnished soul) is about to wax serious, perhaps even eloquent, on the Resurrection.
SO LISTEN UP!😆
An angel didn’t roll away the stone sealing Jesus tomb to let him out, but to let others in (and through them, over many generations, us as well by their witness). Why? To inform rational minds that the irrational had taken place, that Jesus had risen from death, which not one of his early followers had expected. This event, along with Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances, showed God doing what only he could do, and what he knew had to be done to help humsns choose to believe in him.
Why, then, does he not send angels today, all over the world, to roll away stones from the minds of those who dimply cannot believe in him, not because they are stubborn and hard-hearted, but because…Well, I don’t presume to know the reason (s) for their disbelief, but I do know hat this is a stone so immovable that only a supernatural force could shift it.
My prayer this easter day is:
Father, roll away all such stones, from unbelievers, from tepid believers, from even fervent believers, for we all have stones of one kind or another that keep us from getting closer to you, first through our minds, and then if we choose through transformstion of our persons (hearts).
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2:31pm
AMEN.
MC, 😇🙏👍.
Happy Easter. May you be blessed!
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Thank you, Magwa.
And to you and yours, too.
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2.31: Magna, add this sentiment to your ‘prayer’: roll away or remove the stones of hatred, jealousy, envy, arrogance, self righteousness, pride, aggression, violence and all that dehumanises us. Such stones when thrown at others cause much hurt, pain and grief. Could it be that you might just be blind to the presence of these stones in your life? Let the resurrected Christ touch your heart a little!!!!Any possibility?? 🙂🙂..Pray…
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Magna darling, I’m awake now. Pour me a drink and put the lamb in the oven, there’s a good boy.
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2.31: From one if the most vitriolic, nastt and aggressive commentators – Magna, a prayer!!! My God, the audacity of this trollope! Wanting us to believe he has some decency of faith and human kindness. Cheeky Mags! Not at all inspired or impresses with your pseudo spirituality. Try to practice what Christ really says…..
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9:53
‘Trollope’? ‘Vitriolic’?
I’ll try if you try.😆
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All this rubbish about Archbishop Tartaglia from Glasgow. He is not ill and is just getting older. His heart condition is well controlled. He has asked for an Assistant but Rome refused his request for Coadjator. There are a few homosexual priests in the Archdiocese, none of them are causing issues any more as they are getting older and Tartaglia has them
under control. Any other news to the contrary should be posted on here as the Arch reads this daily.
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He should be in Bar-L, he said as much years ago.
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8.02 – what is Fr Paul from
Glasgow South side well known
For exactly?
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Ask Dorothy
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The comments will be bedtime reading for me, Bp Pat, especially after Elsie, the midden of Westminster, has been mentioned several times. Reminds me of the Soho Masses when we never stopped talking about her. I am also looking forward to reading the gossip about Tagliatelle at Glasgow; another midden.
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I’ll take it, Vincent failed to mention the role of hierarchs, in covering up for offending clerics, and moving them hither, thither and yon, both nationally and internationally, to reoffend.
A sin of omission? Or lack of transparency? Or economical with the narrative of Rcc abuse of children and vulnerable adults? Or all three? Remain silent, oh good priests.
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Big McGee must be odds on for Glasgow when it comes up.
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Phil is several years away from retiring. Another made up story.
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Phil Is 68 but Father Paul has it wrong and NO way would Rome give a Coadjator for a 68 year old Archbishop.
So father Paul that not tell you something he even asked for one.
Big Brian will likely go to Motherwell or Paisley he will not get Glasgow or Edinburgh.
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Paisley diocese, despite being named after the late Ian, has long bet a hotbed of gay sex and everybody knows it.
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Bollocks
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Who is Ian and what are you on about? Paisley Diocese has never had and such scandals.
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Ian Paisley. Named after him. Most of the gay action was in Greenock.
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What a dreamer Paisley diocese has never ever had cause for concern in it’s history.
This is the first time it has clergy c/o Diocesan offices and it is just two out of the wonderful clergy in that diocese.
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Glasgow – the Clyde Street gays run the place but in fairness, they do it well!
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Well said and + Philip is the weakest link Glasgow has ever had and he inherited a well run diocese and rich as well.
But now Louise has gone it will be very interesting in financial control.
How they got into Clyde Street the clergy and laity will never understand.
Glasgow need action now not in seven years too many parishes and cash running low again.
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Stephen. You sound like an ex Priest or failed Priest. Gay sex in Greenock? Not a chance mate. Where and when? Re HQ. Plenty money about still and more grants coming. We have and excellent VG, excellent Chancellor and a great team keeping things on track. The 2 Priests in Paisley – no scandal there either. One has chosen to leave to live with his partner. No big deal! Lovely couple. Unlike you, they don’t spend all day on grinder.
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Big Jim you must be in with the Curia and not many clergy in the archdiocese like Clyde street and cannot wait for change and change there will be.
As for your friend that has left to live with his partner and no one is surprised at that but why does he not apply to leave the clerical state and save the diocese money and time rather than going through canon law.
Some people like best of both worlds.
Finally it has been Louise that has saved Glasgow over and over again and will be a hard act to follow do you remember the smartie tubes
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I do remember the smartie tubes! She will be a hard act to follow. I will check about the Canon law bit – seems odd right enough, particularly as he’s moved in with his bf and has already secured employment – he is well read. Is that true? The Chancellor wants out of Clyde Street apparently.
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He should never have been in there in the first place however he is and yes he is not fitting in with + Philips boys.
Him that was asked to take on two parishes and said No and ended up at St. Pat’s seems to be the blue eyed boy and he is Vice Chancellor.
I was informed today rightly wrong however it seems that Glasgow was to get an Auxiliary Bishop and three have knocked it back but two of the names I would be surprised if they knocked it back.
The money is on + Leo Cushley and + Eammon Martin to be made Cardinals soon and if that happened + Philip would retire due to ill health interesting times ahead.
Canon Law to Rome and via the Tribunal is expensive for a Diocese
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Hi Stephen. Yes the info around the Aux Bishops seems
to be true. Got that from a reliable source too, although I am not sure who was asked. Very Rev Murray wants out of Clyde Street asap as he will be sick of playing second fiddle, Big P has gone off him apparently. He won’t have been asked to be Auxiliary? Very Rev Bradley would have been good, but not in great health, Very Rev Conroy would have been asked surely and Very Rev Hill too? Both good and holy men. I guess in this day and age it is difficult to find someone who hasn’t got skeletons in the cupboard. Certainly some would be excellent Bishops, but being actively gay is a barrier I suppose in this day and age. Oh and yes, if Leo gets his red hat then rest assured that big P will be off like a shot. Why isn’t Leo the President of the Bishop’s Conf by the way? I suppose nobody voted for him?
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Paul has NO chance of being an Auxiliary Bishop however is seems it was Bradley (his health is fine really), Paul Conroy (maybe the bad press about housekeeper stopped him by that catholic truth) and Hughes to which I am surprised did not take it but the problem is + Philip wont be there long for these guys and they were NOT to get right of succession.
However Scotland is suppose to go down to FIVE Dioceses by 2026 and Ireland by five (Charlie Brown the last Papal Nuncio was to do it) and same in England.
Very Rev Hill is far too GOOD a man for Clyde Street
+ Leo got an Archdiocese in a right mess No Money (millions in debt), then the cemetery carry on, 101 parishes (now 76) and a big Guest House (Gillies) now closed and a BIG management team so he had enough and really a lot of Top jobs are coming up at the Curia soon and he maybe go back to Rome (trust me he is talented maybe lacks personality).
Pope Francis needs Cardinals so it will be interesting either Glasgow or Edinburgh and remember Cushley is only 58 so he is not getting left as Archbishop of Edinburgh for another 17 years but Paisley thinks John Keenan will be Scotland’s next Cardinal.
Paisley Synod cost thousands and did nothing they are back at the drawing board as parishes must close there as well and really the Laity were not going to write in and say close my parish.
Btw be interesting if Pauline has told + Philip but he is running out of soldiers then maybe + Toals brother for Chancellor or him in the Cathedral.
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Thanks Stephen. Very insightful
and good of you. Paisley synod was a good idea but has died a death I agree. Hugh would be a good Glasgow Aux (clever sod and a good man), Paul has too many skeletons and I think he will jack in when his Chancellor post expires as will his friend in a nearby Diocese. Hill said no I have just heard. I think that wee boy in the Cathedral will be next Chancellor or VG. Re Cushley. Talented I agree, but not a people person and cannot lead men for the life of him. Better off heading a department in Rome. How
is Bishop Devine by the way? Any word on Paul Friel?
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Hi Jim, Bishop Devine is as well as can be expected at 82 and he is in that flat because of the stairs but a little confused I am told.
Paul Friel is in Switzerland.
John Keenan is bringing back the Synod he is not giving in.
You have me confused because on here a guy who went on holiday with a Glasgow Priest and a Paisley Priest was angry cos they did not include him and I thought that was the one in Greenock who has moved in with his partner.
I hope John Keenan and Philip are not in for another shock …
You can see + Philip’s diary is not very full nowadays and really down to his health and needs to cut the number of parishes as soon as possible.
Paul is well liked in his parish but really would do himself a favour by getting out and being who he is rather that the false side as it goes back before + Philip and + Mario stood by him.
Galloway is suppose to be getting split between Paisley and Edinburgh so watch that move over next few years.
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I think the wee boy (hung) Canon Sharkey will go back to Scots College as rector as Dan Fitzpatrick’s time will be up and he will go back to Paisley Diocese so I think Canon Sharkey will go there and he is loyal and a bit of the old school even at 37 years of age.
+ Philip and Paul Conroy have always worked together so he will be VG till + Philip goes as for chancellor it maybe given to a lay person or a Deacon but I guess Milarvie or McKenzie must be due a move to the Curia.
One’s to watch is the most talented guy Father Thomas Kilbride or Canon Sharkey.
Glasgow moved to the Paisley way as they never ever had a Moderator of the Curia it was always the Chancellor so Paul with feel unhappy in Clyde Street now because as Paisley clergy tell you get on wrong side of + Philip and it is not good as he is very moody.
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Fr Murray is a lovely man in so many ways
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Big Jim you are correct Father Murray is a Great guy and always has time to say hello to people on the cathedral precincts and one of the few who does as they go into HQ with their nose high in the air.
Cardinal Winning, + Renfrew + Mone and + Devine were all people’s People and a credit as they just seen it as offices not a big executive HQ.
Father Paul is a Great guy but should get out and be who is he is and I even met him in a pub lol (years ago)
he cannot be so stupid not to see Clyde Street is not a Good place.
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