March, the middle of Lent, half way to Easter. Most stores remind us that the Easter Bunny is coming, time to buy new clothes, prepare Easter baskets full of chocolate goodies, and maybe watch a movie like “The Ten Commandments”.
Wow, something is missing from this picture – the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ! He is the reason for the season!
Do we spend more time shopping for Easter goodies than we do in entering into the real preparation to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection?
Society is a great tempest – only painting half of the picture; especially the exterior trimmings – all of which are good but should not overshadow the real meaning of Easter. Being halfway through the Lenten Season, it is time to check in to ourselves spiritually. How are we doing with our Lenten Resolutions – perhaps time to take a few deep breathes in and slowly exhale letting our good intentions give us new energy to embrace the second half of our Lenten journey. If you are like me, it is not so difficult getting to Holy Thursday, it is the piece in-between Holy Thursday and Easter morning that are most difficult. However, this “piece” is the critical part if we want to experience the real celebration – “Jesus is Risen and walks among us.”
It is never too late to start again. WE may need to cut back on our original resolutions, but this will be better than throwing in the towel. Breathe deeply and let’s go! Meet you at the tomb!
Barbara Vaughan, csj