From the Parish Priest

Jonathan had passed his exams. He'd worked really hard, just as his parents and his teachers had told him to. He'd done all the home work he'd been given and even spent time before the exams reading through his notes and downloading revision material from the internet. Jonathan was really keen to get these exams because it meant he could go on and study to be a vet. After all the hard work, all the evenings in while his friends were clubbing, all the missed trips to see his Gran and all the nagging from Mum and Dad, the morning of the results arrived. He hadn't slept much anyway. He got up early and waited for what seemed like hours and hours until his Mum was ready to take him to school. Then the rush stopped and he was suddenly cast into slow motion.

He opened the envelope.

He took out the results paper.

He unfolded it.

He held it in front of his eyes.

He read it.

Time started again and he read the paper repeatedly.

Yes - two Bs and an A. Yes - now he could go to Uni and his hope of being a vet was no longer a dream - it was a reality.

Outside the school his Mum had gone on to work. His friends were so engrossed in their own results that they forgot to ask him about his. His Dad was away and couldn't be contacted until later and his Gran forgot that the results were due today. Jonathan was mighty upset, but looked forward to his celebration party on Saturday night. This time he could be with his friends. This time he could go clubbing later on.

Saturday arrived.

7.00pm arrived.

The taxi for his parents arrived.

Jonathan's friends didn't arrive.

This moment in his life, this big event - the most important day he'd yet had, passed by without his friends remembering. They never did come to the celebration. Jonathan soon realised, they weren't his true friends at all!

Easter is the most important day of the Christian year - the day on which Our Lord rose from the dead. All his friends are invited to join the celebrations. Will you be among them?

Fr. Mike