What is Easter? Every year this day rolls around and yet it is often overlooked for its importance.
When asking your average person about Easter, they will probably say something along the lines of “It’s a day celebrating spring,” or, “It is the time with the bunny and colorful eggs.”
Occasionally, you will get someone mention the resurrection of Jesus Christ, or a mention of Christianity at all, but that is becoming more and more rare.
Easter, like many of our other holidays, has become commercialized and the religions significance is removed from it. We don’t even realize the word “holiday” comes from the words “Holy Day.”
So, what is the importance of Easter and why is it something so much more than a day to eat candy and celebrate a bunny?
That is because at its core, Easter is a day for recognizing a sacrifice, and celebrating a victory. We are celebrating someone paying the ultimate price for our freedom, but also recognizing that person was not just anyone. They are God.
Easter is the celebration of Christ rising from the dead after being brutally killed three days earlier. That is why in the Catholic faith, the celebration leading to Easter starts one week earlier with Palm Sunday.
On that day, we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem at the beginning of the celebration, but then we read of Christ's Passion during that same mass.
Following that, we enter into what is known as Holy Week. That is because what we are celebrating and remembering is his last supper with his closest companions and his betrayal on Holy Thursday. His torture and death on Good Friday, and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
All liturgies in the Catholic faith are technically ranked. Some days are higher than others, and some celebrations are higher than others.
However, the Resurrection of Christ is the highest and greatest liturgy in the entire year.
This is referred to as the Easter Vigil Mass. At this mass, it starts with lighting and blessing of a fire outside of the church. Followed by lighting a candle and processing with it.
The first half of the celebration is done in darkness to show that we are still in mourning for the light of the world, Jesus Christ. However, when the news of his resurrection happens, the lights all come on and we rejoice.
Following this mass, the day of Easter itself lasts for eight days, and the season lasts for 50 days. In this time, all are encouraged to celebrate and rejoice in this great victory over death.
Now, there is a lot more that happens in the Easter Vigil mass and I encourage everyone to join and see it at least once in their life. Whether you are Catholic or not, the meaning and symbolism behind that celebration are breathtaking.
What now? Now that we have looked into the true celebration of Easter, what do we do with this?
Well, take the next five minutes right now. Breath in and think.
With this celebration of life and joy, what is one thing you can do for someone else that helps spread this Easter joy? One simple act to continue the love we have been shown. Happy Easter and God bless,
Deacon Nicholas Newton serves at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff.