Mudita Sodder RSCJ of India shares her personal stories of the strength that the Risen Christ has given her.
My father often said, “Don’t cry for me when I die, rejoice for I have lived my whole life for that one moment of death, when I know I will be in the bosom of God the Father.” Like him, I’ve always believed that Christ has saved us once and for all, and every time I see the rising sun, I get the courage to pick myself up again and forge ahead with faith and love.
I struggled with leaving my parents to join the convent. Fortunately, it was not very far from home, but when I offered to go up to the Himalayas to serve in our Ashram there, we missed each other. Years later, I had to go abroad for an international experience and an intense period of religious studies and formation called “Probation” before making my Final Vows. My unconscious self played every trick not to go abroad for fear of losing a parent when far away. Finally, I was given an ultimatum, to go abroad for my Probation or to leave the congregation. After an exhilarating international experience in Europe, I landed in Rome on February 13, 1993 to begin my Probation at the Villa Lante. On the morning of February 19, I received news that my father had crossed over to the other side. I looked out of the window and saw the Rising Sun/Son with my earthly father smiling at me, reminding me that he was now in God the Father. This experience of the Risen Christ has stayed with me ever since.
In October 2017, I was diagnosed with third stage double cancer. With death imminent, I experienced immense inner joy as I surrendered to His Holy will, knowing I would be in His presence soon. Yet after 22 chemotherapies and 15 radiations, I am alive to this day! Cancer has been my greatest spiritual gift, as I came to realize that God is the doer. My life is free of tension and stress, as I only take the first step and He does the rest.
Because of this, I have experienced the Paschal Mystery in my flesh. This has helped me to understand how we are an Easter people and how Alleluia is our song. I marvel at the wonder of how Christ is risen, we are in Christ and the plan of God is complete, because we now share this new life in Christ, with our past erased and our sins forgiven.
With the empty tomb strengthening our faith, I now feel graced with renewed energy and enthusiasm, to live this new life more authentically. Every day I struggle to reclaim my freedom to care, dare and take risks, as Easter reminds me to listen to my own inner voice, the voices of unborn children, the pleas of the poor, the marginalised, the subtle voices of Mother Earth, the unspoken words of the elderly or the words of those in authority. During the Eucharistic celebration each morning, I remind myself to connect my inner world to my outer world, in order to comprehend the Paschal Mystery better.
The forty days and six Sundays of Lent are a good opportunity for me to slow down. I try to listen to my own restlessness and find my rest in God. I am thus revitalized, because when I am in the active mode of listening, I become deeply connected with my own journey and in the process, I am able to see the presence of God. The radical following of Christ invites me to break down boundaries and reach out in love, accepting hardships that come along the way. In order to be free, I need to shed my attachments to material things and to stability, for then it gives me more space, time and energy to discover myself and God. We are all interconnected and when I am free, it is also easier to connect with all God’s creatures. This Easter I hope and pray that my heart be raised with Christ, as I awaken to the fullness of life, setting out with concrete actions to discover His plans for me each day.
A happy risen Easter of living with courage and love in Christ!
Mudita Menona Sodder RSCJ
April 11, 2025
Section |International News
Province |India
Our Spirituality |Celebrating the Seasons|Reflections from Around the World
Tags |Easter
