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Happy Easter, once again! Just wanted to remind you that it is still Easter. For a few more weeks, actually. June 8 is the festival of Pentecost, and that’s when the season of Easter ends.
The church has a pattern of preparing, celebrating, and reflecting through the year.
We start the church year with Advent, a season to prepare for the birth of our Lord and his coming again at the end of the ages. Then comes Christmas, when we celebrate the Incarnation. Finally, we have Epiphany, when we can reflect on what it all means for us.
The same things happen during Lent (preparation), Easter (celebration) and the season after Pentecost (reflection). In the case of Easter, the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection is so profound and so joyous that we celebrate for a whole 50 days. So, yes indeed, it’s still Easter!
The culture around us, of course, isn’t great at keeping this pattern. We don’t do preparation so well; instead, we like to jump right into the celebrating way ahead of time. Reflection isn’t really our strong suit, either. We’re more likely to just hit up the clearance sales and then put everything away until next year.
It’s more fun to hang in there, though! Who can object to 50 days of celebration? This is the time for feasting and toasting, after a long Lenten fast (whatever that may mean for you).
Spring has fully arrived, and creation is painting us an image of resurrection. Tend your garden and read or hear about Jesus’ Easter days—those 40 days when the resurrected Lord was reunited with his disciples before he ascended into heaven.
It’s a time to rejoice in all the good gifts of God, especially the gifts of new life — in creation and in Christ. Keep celebrating!
