From the Pastor Happy Easter!
April/08/2009
Every year we celebrate the joyous season of Easter, and every year our churches are filled to more than overflowing on the first of these seven Sundays of Easter. Next Sunday, we will observe the Feast of Divine Mercy (always on the 2nd Sunday of Easter), with special devotions to the merciful Son of God. Though, by then, the crowds will be noticeably reduced, that day has at least as much significance as does the previous Sunday. Our most recent popes have acclaimed this as the fuller celebration of the Easter season, with the richness of Jesus’ mercy being manifested in a wonderful way during this season.
Everyone has heard the slogan about keeping Christ in Christmas, but what about Easter? How can we celebrate the real meaning of Christ’s glorious Resurrection in the midst of bunnies, eggs, hams and lambs? The key is to help everyone understand that these seemingly “secular” Easter traditions were once based on meaningful ways to celebrate the Good News that Jesus rose from the dead. For in the Church’s liturgical year, Easter is more than one day. The Easter season, beginning on Holy Saturday evening and concluding on Pentecost, celebrates Christ’s victory over sin and death.
Perhaps we’ve lost the symbolism over the years. For instance, colored eggs, once a pagan symbol of rebirth at springtime, was easily adapted by Christians, with the egg as the symbol of new life that comes out of the grave at the Resurrection. The dyeing of eggs in bright colors became popular in the Middle Ages, and the more intricate “pisanki” of Poland, Ukraine and Russia carried it one step farther. The tradition of the Easter baskets began in the same area of Europe where people brought food to church on Holy Saturday that would be blessed for the Easter Sunday meal (we still maintain this custom in our parish). The Easter bunny represented the new and abundant life in Christ, and jelly beans represented a candied version of the colored Easter egg. Using white lilies as Easter decorations in church and homes came into practice in the 19th century. The white flowers are a symbol of purity, and the lily’s trumpetlike shape heralds the triumph of Jesus over death. But for too many, the victorious triumph of Christ isn’t seen too readily.
Let’s face it: we are living in difficult economic times. If Jesus had issued an order to worry constantly, many of us would have achieved complete compliance. Jesus’ command is just the opposite: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.” (Mt. 6:34) Jesus isn’t saying that we shouldn’t think about the future, but He is telling us that we must not worry about things that haven’t happened – and may never happen – that would ruin our lives. Now, more than ever, we need to remember that, as Christians, we are called to be a sign of the resurrected Christ to the world.
So we need to see how we can find hope in hard times. Pope John Paul’s admonition of “Be not afraid,” needs to become ours as well. If we truly believe that God is the source of all good, then He can and will provide for us in every situation. We must remember to stay close to him in thought and prayer. St. Paul, in his first Letter to the Corinthians, offers the following advice, that we have the ability to control our thoughts; they do not need to control us. When fear begins to creep in, breathe deeply, and pray, “I am never alone; God is with me. Therefore, I will not be afraid.” All too often, we consider prayer a measure of last resort. Instead of waiting until panic prevails, ask God for help in every situation, and ask with hopeful confidence. Then, look expectantly for His answer, for Jesus follows that advice with “For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Mt. 7:9) When things are going well, it’s easy to feel uplifted. But joy and hope are not contingent upon the economy. They don’t come from bank accounts and financial investments, but from a deep and abiding relationship with the Lord. “Consider the lilies of the field – how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet, I assure you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these.”(Mt. 6:28b, 29) “Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first His dominion over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you, besides.” (Mt. 6:33)
Congratulations and WELCOME to the newest full members received this Holy Saturday evening into the Catholic Faith: Shelley Fiorini, Donald John Gilchrest, Andrea L. Hodgens, Kyle Robert Hodgens, Gary C. Jones II, Chase Christian Kelly, James Lesane, Jonathan Blake Wagner Murphy, Pamela Anne Peifer-Murphy, Susan Roegiers, Terry Lynn Carlson, Patricia Sullivan, Yida Zhao, and (infant) Colin Blake Murphy. Additionally, Allison Marie, Joseph Thomas, and Stephanie Marie Giacomaro will make their First Holy Communion. Many thanks to Deacon Lee Levenson, his wife, Alice, and the entire RCIA team for their many hours spent in preparing our newest members for the full reception of Christ into their lives!
As our “snow-birds” begin to head back North, may I take this opportunity to wish them a safe journey home and thank them for their wonderful support of our parish during their stay. We look forward to their return to us again in a few months. In the meantime, they can keep up with us on our website. To all our parishioners and friends, may you and your loved ones enjoy the blessings of this most holy season, which lasts for fifty days! Joyeuses Paques! Wesolego Alleluja! Felizes Pascuas! Frolich Ostern! Buona Pasqua! Chrystos Voskres! Maligayang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay! Happy Easter!
Very Rev. Canon Tom