Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Count down to Easter . . .

It seems like we just received our Ash Wednesday ashes and we are now two days into Holy Week. It is interesting to think about what was going through the mind of Jesus as He knew the time had come and understood what He would be facing. Pre-knowledge like that would floor a regular man. It was only because He was God and man that he could survive the progression of day up to Holy Thursday. I know I've had weeks of dread before a doctor appointment or dental work and cannot imagine coping with something of the magnitude of the crucifixion. Well, that's because I'm certainly not God!

I also feel a little sad for the people who only see Easter and don't participate in the journey to that day. There is something about Holy Thursday with the celebration of the Passover with the underlying tension, knowing how it will turn out within hours. Good Friday compounds the sorrow and the church does seem empty without the Blessed Sacrament in place. Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday bring back the joy but we can't let ourselves forget our Lenten walk and take something good and improved in our lifes from it.

It was interesting. . . the last time the Jehovah Witnesses were at my door, we talked about Easter. When I said that Easter tends to blot out the events that brings us to that day, the Jehovah Witnesses were floored that the Catholic Church even observed the Passion and Death of Christ. They were trying to invite me to a talk on it and couldn't believe that we actually had church on all those days. Made me wonder about what their leaders tell their congregations about other churches and why they feel they have to lie about our beliefs to promote their own.

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