From safari……
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!
This is the day of Resurrection.
Let us be illumined by the feast.
Let us embrace each other.
Let us call “brothers” and “sisters” even those that hate us, and forgive all by the Resurrection. (from the Eastern rite)
The 50 days of Easter begins with resounding Alleluias!
Yet, as I write it looks and feels like late February and early March. We live midst a frozen sea, waves towering over our heads suspended in time. Although I am growing tired of imitating Moses and parting the sea. (Shoveling sidewalks and patio) Below this frozen sea, life awaits to spring forth, soon tulips, hyacinths, and dandelions will brighten the landscape. Let us pray that the snow melt does not bring devastating damage.
The sea of frozen water around us reminds me of the early Christian symbols of fish and anchor. These symbols marked their homes and tombs. The blog image combines both the anchor and fish.
The anchor is known as the “Cross of Hope.” In Hebrews 6:19 we read, “We have this hope as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm.” Christian hope proclaims that God is faithful to promises. Jesus is the promised messiah, who through his passion, death, and resurrection has freed us from sin and death. The resurrection assures us we are never alone. God is there to share in our joy. While God does not spare us from harm (illness, heartbreak, hardship), God will be with us in every trial and bring us to everlasting life.
As Easter people we are called to pass on the message of the “Cross of Hope”. To encourage others to set their anchor in God’s love. From the third Mass for various needs, we pray, “(Holy Father) Keep us attentive to the needs of all, that sharing their grief and pain, their joy and hope, we may faithfully bring them the good news of salvation and go forward with them along the way of your Kingdom.”
Have a joy filled Easter Season!
Fr. Ron
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