'Proclaiming The Message'

BY RACHEL CARTA
STAFF WRITER
rachel_c@newsitem.com
Published: Saturday, April 11, 2009 11:09 AM EDT
MOUNT CARMEL — A tradition, long forgotten by many, is to remain in silent reflection during the hours of noon and 3 p.m., on Good Friday.

It was during that time — more than 2,000 years ago — that Jesus, nailed to a large wooden cross, was drawing his last breaths as blood and sweat ran down his face.

“By this time, it was noon and darkness fell across the whole land until 3 o’clock,” the Bible states in Luke 23:44, just before Jesus said, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands.”

To recall those last hours, believers walked through the streets of Mount Carmel, stopping at eight locations symbolizing the eight Stations of the Cross. This walk, sponsored by the Mount Carmel Ministerium, is called the Way of the Cross, and was led by the reverends Ron Lausch and Jim McNair, beginning and ending at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Fourth and Maple streets.

The small crowd carried a large wooden cross, just as Jesus once did.

Susan Horan, who joined the walk with her daughter and large tawny dog, said with “so much going on in the world, people aren’t concerned,” with the true meaning of Easter.

“This is what it is all about — not in church — it’s all about God,” she said of the walk, regarding the fact that all denominations were welcome.

Horan remembered growing up in a home where no talking or any electronics of any kind were allowed during that three-hour span on Good Friday. The time was to be spent meditating on Christ’s sacrifice, she said.

Horan said she wanted her own daughter to realize the importance of the day, like she did as a young girl.

“This is not like any other day,” she said, while walking at Market and Second streets. “It’s just not.”

Easter baskets and egg hunts

Rose Marquardt, president of the Mount Carmel Ministerium, said remembering the importance of this Holy Week has been forgotten by many. Most are caught up with the Easter baskets and egg hunts, and forget the reason Easter is celebrated.

The message of the crucifixion and Jesus’ resurrection is not always conveyed, Marquardt said on Good Friday.

“Easter is a happy day with chocolate and sun, but we have to stop and think for one minute that because of the resurrection, we have eternal life,” she said.

Those on the Way of the Cross walk took time to remember the sacrifice of Jesus.

The cross carried was heavy, as was the Teacher’s from Nazareth. This time, it was shouldered by a young woman, her daughter clad in green by her side, tugging on her coat. Later, an older woman took up the cross and carried it through the streets.

Followers walked on in silence, behind the cross, from station to station, each with their own thoughts in remembrance of this Holy day. When singing ceased, only the clicking of a heel and the acceleration of a car could be heard.

The sky was clouded, rain impending.

Rap music screamed from a passing car, while the entourage walked at a steady cadence and sang “dying you destroyed our death/rising you restored our life.”

Those passing in cars or on foot simply stared, maybe remembering the holy day.

Houses adorned in Easter flair were passed unnoticed as the group continued in remembrance of the son of God who was in agony so long ago.

Proclaiming the message

Lausch, who led the walk, was clothed in white robes with a red overlay. A heavy cross depicting Jesus’ outstretched arms was around his neck.

The reverend said the walk was similar to the pilgrimages made to Jerusalem to honor the sites of Jesus’ “passion,” or the events leading to his resurrection.

The Stations of the Cross can be found in many churches and are in place for those who couldn’t make the trek to the Holy Land.

In this way, Lausch said, by going out into the community, believers are again making a pilgrimage.

“We, as Christians, needed to find a way to go outside of the church to proclaim the message,” Lausch said before the walk began.

Because the crucifixion may have taken place on a busy hillside with many people passing by, Lausch said he wanted the walk to take place on the busiest streets in the borough — Oak and Market streets and the Avenue.

It didn’t matter to Lausch and McNair how many people followed on the walk; they only wanted to be faithful to the gospel.

“If one person is reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made ... one family ... that is the meaning of Easter,” said McNair, pastor of the United Methodist Church in Mount Carmel.

The first station — Jesus is condemned to death — began outside of St. Stephen’s Church, with only one follower.

“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head,” Lausch said.

While walking to the second station — Jesus takes up his cross — more people began to follow, helping with the heavy cross.

The group moved down Market Street and at the third station — The cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene — the group stood near Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

“Take up your cross,” the group sang, while walking to the fourth station — Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.

Ronnie Coleman, a Mount Carmel resident who had walked with the group for a while, said he hoped the walk would remind people about the meaning of the holiday season and the significance of Good Friday.

The group stopped at Hickory and the Avenue for the fifth station — Jesus is nailed to the cross.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them; for they know not what they are doing,’” Lausch read.

Cars screamed by in front of the First United Methodist Church at the sixth station — Jesus promises redemption to the good thief.

“Truly I tell you, today, you will be with me in Paradise,” Lausch read.

As the group approached Third and Oak streets for the seventh station — Jesus dies on the cross — those in the cars stopped at the red light looked on. It was 2:30 p.m., a mere 30 minutes before Jesus took his last breath.

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” Lausch read while bowing his head.

While the group headed to the last station on the walk, down Oak Street, they sang “when I survey the wondrous cross.”

During the time of the walk, a traditional three-hour service was held at the First Presbyterian Church, at Fifth and Hickory streets, for those not able to walk through the borough, and others who wanted to reflect on the time Jesus spent on the cross. Seven members of the clergy took time to preach on the last seven “words” of Christ.

“Life does not end when we close our eyes in death,” Marquardt said, “because we have the gift of eternal life.”

The last station — Jesus is laid in the tomb — took place where the tour began, near St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The group sang, “Where you there when they crucified my Lord?”

The cross was taken back into the church and placed in the front. The followers took time for prayer and reflection before leaving the church in silence to continue their day.