Celebrate Eastertide
The Easter Tridium is a time of mixed emotions as we go from the shouts of excitement that are part of the Palm Sunday celebratory entry into Jerusalem to the depths of despair on Good Friday to then be followed by the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
But Easter is not finished yet. Yes, we have celebrated the joy of the resurrection on Easter Sunday but the next six Sundays leading to Pentecost are termed ‘Sundays of Easter’. They are part of the Eastertide celebration during which we continue to grow in understanding of what the Resurrection of Jesus Christ truly means. Christ’s resurrection was not a one-day wonder!
By celebrating the Eastertide, we are marking the 40 days that Jesus remained on earth until his Ascension followed closely by the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. During this time Jesus made himself visible to his disciples and followers, each time with a clear message for us all. Today, the 2nd Sunday of Easter we are presented with the picture of the Apostles filled with fear and hiding from the authorities. Their door is bolted, and their great leader is dead. What is worse he has been treated like a common criminal! They don’t understand what has happened and fear for their own lives as they are well known as Jesus’s followers. But then Jesus comes among them. A locked door cannot stop him, and his greeting of peace is followed by the message that he has been sent by God, his “Father”. He gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit and his message to them is that their task is to spread peace and forgiveness through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The gospel follows this with the very human story of Thomas who cannot believe because he has not seen. But once he has seen is overcome and he needs to go above and beyond to prove his belief and make up for his lack of faith. In our world there is a reliance on science and fact that means many could relate to the view of Thomas. But faith is not something based on facts and figures, and we don’t have the luxury of being truly present to these events. Faith is something that is beyond human logic and understanding and relies on believing in a God that is good, loving and kind. With the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are among those who are blessed for we have not seen and yet have believed.
How do we relate today’s gospel to our modern life? What does this gospel ask of us today? We are asked to be people who ask for God’s mercy through prayer and repentance; and to be merciful, not only open to receive God’s mercy but able to extend that same love and forgiveness to others; and to trust completely in Jesus. Probably the hardest thing of all is to be totally dependent on God’s mercy and love.
Nga mihi nui
Jane Kelly
