by Father Michael McGarry, CSP
April 20, 2014

During my many years living in Jerusalem, I treasured celebrating Pesach, Passover, with my friends Ron and Amy Kronish and their family. In the midst of their celebration, they would pray a litany with a spirited chorus of “Dayenu!” Hebrew for “it would have been enough.”

This Easter, I share with you a Christian adaptation of that prayer celebrating God’s mercy:

If God gave us only one day of life, it would have been enough.

If God gave us only one springtime or fall, one summer or winter, it would have been enough.

If God gave us only one day of laughter, it would have been enough.

If God gave us only one delectable meal, beautifully served in a secure home, it would have been enough.

If God gave us only one friend to share the journey of time;

If God gave us only one year of married life;

If God gave us only one child – loving and in need of our love;

If God gave us only one storm that left us unharmed;

If God gave us only one day of a good time with friends;

If God gave us only one talent for creating beauty;

If God let us laugh only once in the face of calamity;

If God gave us only one moment’s pride in the success of those we love, it would have been enough…

But God has given us life and time, joy and sorrow, sunshine and storms, laughter and tears; gifts to share and days to remember.

God has given us friends and lovers, children and parents, you and me, and God’s very self in Christ Jesus as well.

It is God who gives us life, who tells us ever after to choose life;

God who is our Resurrection and our hope, who dwells within our hearts as the Spirit of life, the Vanquisher of death, and the Comforter of all the faithful.

And may the abundant graces of this Easter possess you and those you love.