By By Sister Andr Burkhart / special to The Star
April 12, 2003
One of my favorite lines from the movie "Miracle on 34th Street" is "Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to."
Granted, this is said to a little girl who was doubting that there was a Santa Clause. I believe, however, it also applies to the annual Way of the Cross, Way of Peace Ecumenical Walk.
For the past five years, many believers in Meridian have come together to witness their faith and to walk together as one. The 2-mile walk is the time when we recall the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There are 13 stops with scriptural passages read, songs sung, enactments of readings portrayed and a large cross carried by the participants. This coming together is the miracle that thousands of us have seen for the last five years. This year, we mark the sixth annual ecumenical walk.
When downtown pastors initiated this Good Friday event, there were many skeptics who said it wouldn't work. We heard, "You know the Methodists don't walk with the Catholics; Baptists won't walk with the Lutherans." We took up the challenge and worked diligently (with God's grace) to make this beautiful witness of ecumenical unity come to life.
If you have missed the walk, you have missed a very heartwarming, spiritually rich and God-glorifying event. You have also missed an opportunity to see brothers and sisters of all races, creeds and religious practices come together as one.
We walk with one another in love, prayer, unity and solemn witness. Jesus Christ, our Savior, is truly glorified that day and we publicly give thanks for the grace of salvation. We have been saved by the passion and death of Jesus Christ, if we only accept him.
In the name of the downtown pastors and all who have participated in this event, I invite you to join us this year. For three hours, put aside your differences, join us in the walk, help carry the cross and pray with us. I believe you will have a deeply spiritual experience.
The schedule of events will be available at the first station, the Lauderdale County Courthouse. Gathering of the witnesses will begin at 11:15 a.m. Plan on spending a few hours in prayer and reflection with us on Good Friday. You will be spiritually blessed and moved to a deeper faith while thanking God the Father, for the gift of his Son our Savior.
We will also silently remember our armed forces while we walk and pray. We will silently ask God to bless and keep our military safe as we walk in solidarity.
I believe miracles happen. I believe that this miracle will happen. I believe that God will make it so.
Do you dare to believe?
Sister Andr Burkhart is pastoral associate for the Catholic Community of Meridian. She has coordinated The Way of the Cross, Way of Peace Ecumenical Walk for the past six years.