50 Days of Easter Graces
We went to a beautiful Easter Vigil, last night. With our many young children, we don't make to the Vigil often; our last was when Joey was a baby, 7 years ago. I wanted to go this year in particular because a friend of mine was being received into the Church. Praying her into full Communion was a gift and just what my heart needed this year. 20 years ago, 2003, it was Heidi's turn and it was comforting to be there also remembering that.
Felicity (13m.) was a predictable handful, so Mark and I took turns at the back with her. Thankfully, she was quiet, even when she and I got our own individual dousings with holy water from our enthusiastic deacon! The kids did great; they didn't even set anything on fire. Phew!
...but I left feeling somewhat "meh." For the first time in my adulthood, the Resurrection felt more like a story being remembered than a jubilant celebration to which we are united through time and space.
This highlighted the gift of the Liturgy that carries me in my "meh-ness." My faith, my encounter with the Risen Lord is not dependent on my experience, feelings, or emotional state. He IS. Whatever and wherever I may be, it is still true and the Liturgy carries me into that Truth, rather like the crippled man being lowered through the ceiling to Jesus. Praise God.
When I woke this morning, that same "meh" surrounded me. Not depression or sadness, but just "meh." I turned on an Easter morning Mass on YouTube, and as I listened to the Deacon's homily referencing the 40 days of Lent vs the 50 days of the season of Easter, I had a thought - a tremendously helpful thought.
Rather than being disappointed with myself today, or attempting a false drumming-up of emotion that simply isn't there, what if I approach the Easter Season the way we approach Lent - with intentionality. Instead of the fasting and penance of Lent, my Easter season will be 50 days of intentional rejoicing. What a gift this thought is, freeing me to simply lean into the grace of each day, open to the gifts of joy in each day, looking for His love, and allowing the entire season of Easter to lead me deeper into the glory of the Resurrection.
It feels like an invitation. As I type this, I realize I can't wait to begin. Easter graces are already flowing.
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, Alleluia
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| Resurrection of Christ and Women at the Tomb, by Fra Angelico |
Intentional rejoicing. Hmmmm. Something I need to practice, so thank you for sharing. Although I had a "joyful" Holy Week and Easter Vigil, Easter morning has been hard due to a painful experience with my spouse. Please pray for me. And thank you again for the message in your blog today.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all as you experience all the 'firsts' that come after the passing of Heidi. Thank you for the reminder that no matter how we feel throughout Holy Week, God is 'intentionally' with us, beside us & for us. Peace be to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts. I, too, needed to hear.
ReplyDelete"My faith, my encounter with the Risen Lord is not dependent on my experience, feelings, or emotional state. He IS. Whatever and wherever I may be, it is still true and the Liturgy carries me into that Truth, rather like the crippled man being lowered through the ceiling to Jesus. Praise God."
ReplyDeleteSo much truth here. We (collectively) have turned so much of religion, including liturgy, into an emotional experience. And it simply is not. It (the liturgy in particular) is a raising and turning of our *minds*, our intellect and spirit, to an ever deeper union with Christ. Sometimes the emotions accompany. Sometimes they don't. Praise God for both.
Amen! ...but also, in the words of a dear friend, "beautiful liturgies reflect the reality of what we have in head knowledge." What a tremendous gift that is, but Praise God that when our senses feel numb (or the beauty is...lacking) it is still true. 💗
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