We rejoice in the Easter season for a total of 50 days. So, after a long season of Lent, it’s the time to rejoice…
Jesus Christ is risen! Alleluia, alleluia!
During the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter, we worship with meaningful, spirit-filled liturgies. We walk with Jesus through the great paschal mystery, which is the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, whereby “dying he destroyed our death, rising he restored our life.” (CCC 1067)
The below image is from Holy Cross Parish in Kaukauna. It is a reminder that the wood of the cross holds a special place in salvation history. The base of the cross is connected to the trunk of a tree that is rooted in a garden. It reminds us of the ‘tree of life’ in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:24)
The two deer that are drinking from the stream remind us of the opening words of Psalm 42, “Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.”
When God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden because of their sin, he stationed a mighty angel and a ‘fiery revolving sword’, to guard the way to the ‘tree of life’. Through his death on the cross, Jesus transformed a Roman symbol of torture into the holy wood of the cross. Jesus restored our access to paradise!
We walk as ‘disciples on the way’ with the risen Lord. I invite you to make time each day to read, reflect, and meditate on the daily scripture readings. The daily readings can be found at www.usccb.org
As you meditate on these readings, imagine yourself as one of the disciples nearly 2,000 years ago. Consider how your life changed because of this man named Jesus who suffered and died for you. Imagine encountering the risen Lord, and then being filled with his Holy Spirit. Think about being filled with the grace and the courage to boldly proclaim Christ to all who will listen. That’s what the early disciples did, and that’s what we’re called to do too!