Deacon's Easter Reflection

Reflection for Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021

This weekend we celebrate the end of our Lenten journey, the commemoration of Jesus’ Passion and death and our celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. The change in tone of the Liturgy from one of repentance, fasting and preparation to one of joy and rejoicing is remarkable and never to be taken for granted.

At this culmination of Holy Week, let’s look back on our journey. On Palm Sunday Jesus was welcomed and celebrated with cheering people waving palms and crying out “Hosanna!” We have to consider that a few days later, some of these same people changed their opinion and had turned their back on Jesus. They were then calling out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Soon after, the voice echoes from Scripture immediately after the crucifixion: “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Living the faith is a tumultuous journey.  We have our high points and low points. Sometimes it seems easier to   choose to have faith. We have our health, we have money. Things seem to be going okay. Our loved ones are well and safe. However, all that can change in a day. Will we still choose or decide to have faith when the chips are down and when our cross seems heavier and more burdensome? In many times in history, choosing to embrace and live the faith meant disapproval, persecution and may have meant significant costs; not just in status but in worldly riches as well. Are we ready to face such challenges? Let’s pray to be ready and courageous and committed to our faith if we do.

This weekend we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection and the victory of life over death that we know awaits all believers in the afterlife. Jesus has paid the price for our sins and won salvation for us, ultimately and completely. However, we all have our earthly journeys to complete before we will be asked if we accept Jesus’ offer of redemption. How we conduct ourselves during this journey and complete our earthly missions is an important part of the Easter message.

We now have to become an Easter people. It’s not just about our “cashing in” on  our redemption. It’s about heeding our Blessed Lord’s words: (Matt 16:24) “He who would follow me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Denying self and submitting to crosses and following in obedience are acts of will and conscious choices. Here is the example of faith being a decision, not a feeling. We must consciously decide to submit ourselves to God’s Will, in humble obedience and with a loving heart; learning to trust in God’s infinite love, wisdom, benevolence and grace.

Living the Easter message isn’t something we just get caught up in. We must decide to follow the Lord. That inevitably means giving some things up. It may be harmful behaviors, self-centered and unproductive activities or sins. It may mean giving up some of our earthly wealth and treasures to focus on heavenly or spiritual pursuits. Living the Easter message may also mean taking things on or taking up burdens you may have avoided before. Maybe your faith is calling you to volunteer time, money, work or treasure to help with worthy causes that are close to Jesus’ heart. What you are called to do and how you are called to change may surprise you.
Thus, now I pray for you. “In the Name of the Most Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may you be irresistibly attracted to fulfill God’s Holy Will for you; whatever that may mean, now and forever. Amen.”

Deacon Matt