PAUSE FOR REFLECTION
by Ken Rolheiser
Easter Fire and Kyrie Eleison 



The best way to live is with a song in your heart. Two songs served as inspiration for this reflection.



Easter Season teases our souls every year. Like a moth to flame, we hover near the season’s celebrations but hesitate to plunge right in.



After the Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday Resurrection celebrations we are caught again with the hopes and inspirations to continue our life’s journey.



In “Start a Fire” the band Unspoken describes our world, which is “cold and bitter” at times; “Feels like we’re in the dead of winter waiting for something better”. The song continues:

“Over and over again
I hear Your voice in my head
Let Your light shine, let Your light shine for all to see.”

Then the chorus says,
“Start a fire in my soul
Fan the flame and make it grow
So there's no doubt or denying
Let it burn so brightly
That everyone around can see
That it's You, that it's You that we need
Start a fire in me.”



Our after Easter journey should be one with Jesus by our side. Imagining Jesus with us in the boat when the seas are choppy, imagining Jesus in our car on a journey through an icy storm – these were thoughts I shared in an earlier article. That sounds easy enough.



As we continue life after Good Friday death and Easter Sunday Resurrection another song echoes in my mind:

“Kyrie eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie eleison, through the darkness of the night


Kyrie eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie eleison, on a highway in the light.”



John Lang’s lyrics and artists Mr Mister with their 1980’s hit “Kyrie” speak of a fire that burns a “gemlike flame”. That muse still haunts me, like good music will:



“The wind blows hard against this mountain side
Across the sea into my soul
It reaches into where I cannot hide
Setting my feet upon the road.”



Yes, my memories go back to
“When I was young I thought of growing old
Of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road
Or only wished what I could be.”



The marvel of Easter is in getting to know Jesus a little better. Incredibly God still stands on the path like a Prodigal Father, hoping we will return to Him. More incredibly God is ready to forgive us and forgive us and forgive us, even when He knows we will falter again.



As we continue our life’s journey after Easter may the “Lord have mercy” song stay with us as we “find ourselves again”:

“Kyrie eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie eleison, through the darkness of the night


Kyrie eleison, where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie eleison, on a highway in the light.”



(478 words)