A FORETASTE OF THE RESURRECTION

Whether or not math is your strong suit, I would encourage you to count the days on the calendar from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Despite all the phrases in prayers or hymns that we hear about “Forty Days and Forty Nights,” there are in fact more than forty days in the span of the Lenten Season. I can assure you that this is not an accident or miscalculation on the part of those who compiled the church calendar.

The reason that you would count more than forty calendar days between Ash Wednesday and Easter is precisely because the six Sundays throughout the span of the season are not included in this count. Even though these Sundays may fall within a penitential season, they are nevertheless celebrations of the Day of Resurrection. What an appropriate lesson to transfer to our lives as a whole! Even if we are in the midst of our earthly trials and setbacks, Sunday should remind us that, because of Christ’s victory over sin and death, our ultimate destiny and goal lies beyond the realm of our day-to-day cares. Even the Sundays in Lent—the Church’s most penitential of season—are intended to remind us of the reality of the Resurrection. Though this Sunday marks the beginning of Passiontide, we recall that two weeks from today, on Easter Sunday, we will be joyfully celebrating Christ’s Resurrection.

The Gospel reading assigned to the Masses this weekend depicts a scene in which Christ gives his own followers a glimpse of his coming Resurrection. Despite the faith and good will of many of his followers, we can’t fault them for wondering how the Son of Man might be raised from the dead after lying in the tomb for four days. As a Divine Teacher, Christ ordered the raising of Lazarus as a means of preparing his disciples to fully embrace the reality of his own Resurrection.
Although we in the twenty-first century celebrate the Resurrection as an historical event from two millennia ago, we nevertheless need to approach it as though we are experiencing it in the present. That is why the Church, in her perennial wisdom, has not only established the annual observance of Easter, but also the preceding seasons of Lent and Passiontide. Therefore, in these next two weeks, we must avail ourselves of the opportunities to prepare our hearts for his Resurrection by sharing in his Passion and Cross.

There are many practical steps that we can offer within our own parish’s schedule of activities. Firstly, see page 7 for a listing of times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation—there is nothing more important than to make sure we have a “clean slate” as we approach the “Queen of Seasons.” Secondly, I’d like to draw your attention to two musical events that can elevate your sense of hearing to prepare for the season: the first is a concert entitled The Seven Last Words of Christ on April 1, performed by the Exultate Chamber Choir and Orchestra. Additionally, I’d encourage you to consider attending Good Friday Tenebrae. This is a great way to spend some time “in the tomb” with Christ and enter deeply into his Passion. Thirdly, don’t forget to have your goodies ready for the celebration of Easter! You can win an Easter ham this Sunday afternoon at Ham Bingo and you can buy some tasty treats and festive crafts for Easter at the CCW Rosary Guild’s Easter Bake Sale and Craft Fair next weekend.

Last, but certainly not least, plan to attend the liturgies on each day of the Triduum. The celebration of the Resurrection is most profound if we approach it from the events which precede it!

~Sam Backman