Today is Easter Sunday; the juxtaposition between the celebration of Jesus’ rising from the dead with the frivolity of childish delights found in colorful eggs, sneaky rabbits, and chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate. I found myself at church this morning, and to be honest, I wouldn’t call myself a regular. I had the urge, so I went with it. The first morning mass of the day and it was standing room only. The seats were probably filled with heathens like me, showing up on the Holidays, but slacking off the rest of the year. I stood quietly in the back of the church, alone, declining to squeeze into a pew with strangers, who were probably just as happy with my decision. I strained my neck around hoping to at least see my mom, but even she wasn’t up this early.
I leaned back against the warm radiator that lined the perimeter of the church, and settled in to listen. Who or what was I supposed to hear? I listened to the priest, I listened to the Deacon, I listened to the organist/vocalist, I listened to the voice in my head. I was hoping to hear from someone a little higher up. The mass went on as every Easter mass I ever attended in my life went on, with the usual Catholic ritual that was familiar, like the twirl of my childhood Easter dresses or the tap of my shiny white shoes. I looked around, but not too many children were at this mass, so not a lot of little girls in their new Easter Dresses and shiny white shoes to reminisce upon. I noticed a few of the ritualistic lines had changed, so I had to catch up on some of the new lingo and responses, but other than that, it was mass as usual.
Easter mass celebrates the rising of Jesus from the dead after his brutal execution. It is always a beautiful story to hear. Jesus’ friends and family go to his tomb only to find it open and him missing. His burial garments cast aside, and the fear and awe and wonder of his friends and family palpable. No doubt they had to worry that perhaps someone had stolen his body at worst, or that he was still alive at best. But no, he was neither stolen or alive in the flesh. He had risen to join his Father. His Spirit witnessed by many. Faith newly born to those both witnessed and unwitnessed, and the birth of a new religion formed.
When the priest finished reading the story of the resurrection, he began his homily. He spoke of the usual Easter greetings, the spring weather, the Easter garments, and the Easter baskets; he noted the Easter eggs, and birth of spring and the rebirth of Christ. Then he said something that really hit me. He said that today we would go to our family celebrations. That we would meet our family and friends. He noted some of the people we would come in contact with today might not have been at church. He said, that’s ok, be the light. He encouraged us to be the light for those that are still in the darkness.
This really resonated with me. He was my light today, and it looks like I got to hear from the higher ups after all. I felt compelled to share.
With everything we have all been going through these last few years, I have come to the strong realization we are in a battle with dark forces. There is only one way to fight darkness and that is to shine a light on it, for when we do, the darkness recedes.
Today I want to wish you all a most beautiful and blessed Easter!
Thank you Jean for this beautiful message. I am sure that Jesus Loves You!