Together on the path to Easter
- 2026/03/23 -
That Father Ralph Greis OSB and Dr. Marietheres Binsfeld made their way to us, especially during these challenging times, fills us with deep gratitude. Under the current circumstances, many would understandably prefer to seek refuge in their homes and limit contact with others to the bare minimum. But these two consciously embarked on their journey, which seems anything but a given. Their arrival, sustained by courage, trust, and Easter expectation, became a symbolic encounter for us, filled with hours of true fellowship.
We celebrated the Eucharist together, and in his homily, Father Ralph led us into the depths of the day's Gospel: On his Easter journey, Jesus sets several signs to help people understand what has happened. Thus, the Lord brings his friend Lazarus back to life from untimely death. Even before Jesus arrives in the village, Martha goes to meet him and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will accord it you.”
Martha’s experience, through her testimony of faith, shows us that on our life’s journey, we need trust and hope to move forward confidently in often distressing situations.
Thus, we may walk this path in the light of Jesus’ resurrection. This hope can sustain us—especially in times of greatest uncertainty.
We trust that our Lord will accompany us even to our earthly “grave”: in all that within us is frozen, deeply wounded, or even seems devoid of hope. And that he will call us out of this distress: already now, on this path of life that God has given us, and ultimately at its end, where eternal life awaits us, with him and in his presence.
We thank Father Ralph from the bottom of our hearts for the Eucharist we celebrated together and for the time he gave us, and wish him and all who are traveling with him a good, blessed and safe journey.
German Hospice St. Charles Jerusalem - Lloyd George Street 12, 91080 Jerusalem, Israel - Tel. 00972 2 5637737 - info@german-hospice.de