By Sr. Brenda Bidongo, MSMMC

After the annual observation of forty days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving by Christians particularly the Catholics,  Easter season is vibrantly approached with the solemn celebration of the Easter vigil. Easter, which marks the resurrection of Jesus is the most significant feast of Catholic Calendar. This solemnity takes a period of fifty days as given to us by the church. This is to help understand deeply and experience the presence of the risen Lord amidst us since it is the foundation of the Christian faith.

Without Jesus’ resurrection from death, we would have nothing to believe in, not even our own resurrection. Therefore, we continuously rejoice in the risen Lord.  This makes Easter celebration the solemnity of all solemnities. Jesus has proved to us that life does not end with death or in the grave or in the hands of those who inclined to destroy it. But rather in eternity with His heavenly Father who at the same time is our own Father.

God created us for Himself and the only way we can prove to the world that does not believe in His existence is by strongly believing in His risen son. Each moment we celebrate Easter; we celebrate our faith and hope in Jesus’ power over death and in our own future resurrection. On Good Friday Jesus experienced physical death and as Christians, it is a memorable day without which there would be no Easter. We are all called upon to die from our own pride, unforgiveness, jealousy, hatred, greed, selfishness, bitterness, envy, fornication, adultery, unhealthy competition, gossip…name them, so that we are able to resurrect in new life of joy, generosity, humility, faithfulness, solidarity, love, peace, positive criticism, forgiveness and other virtues. This is when Christ’s resurrection from the dead would make meaning in our lives and in the lives of the people we live with in our societies and communities.

The genuine transition from spiritual death to spiritual resurrection for us the living Christians is what we refer to as Easter though we shall also physically die and resurrect in to the heavenly kingdom. In this annual celebration, some Christians think that Easter festival is just a one-day celebration in which people drink, eat good food and dance. My dear brothers and sisters, it is beyond excitement we get from material things. Easter is a joyful celebration that reminds us of the joy brought by Jesus’ victory over  death and we are all invited to be part of God’s family so that our hearts may continuously be filled with this perfect joy.

 He who does not feel the happiness of being close to our risen Lord is not far from those Jews who denied Him as God and as Son of God, hence, they do not believe in His resurrection. When we are far from Jesus who has risen from the dead, we miss the joy he has brought for us.

Easter celebration is a precious moment in which we contemplate Jesus Christ the source and giver of life. When we experience joy that is, the genuine joy that derives from our faith we should remember that we are celebrating Easter. Jesus’ resurrection brings in us new life. This is true to those who die to their sinful way of life and embraced the life of holiness shared with us by the risen Christ.

As Christians we are reminded to do self-examination on the following questions: What are we celebrating? Do we celebrate this Easter festival with the risen Lord or we do because others are celebrating? What are the things that prevent us from celebrating this year’s Easter with joy? Do I truly believe in life after death? What is my purpose of being a Christian? When we reflect deeply within our hearts, we will understand what we are really celebrating and affirm our destinations as God’s children and followers of Christ with whom we journeyed for forty days during the Lenten season.

St. Mary Magdalene had strong love for Jesus without fear of darkness, with the holy courage, she was able to witness Jesus’ resurrection.  We are the Mary Magdalene of today by the fact that we continue to share in this paschal mystery through our active participation in the eucharistic celebration especially on Easter. I am so amazed by some Christians who do not attend Sunday mass but find themselves in mass on Easter Sunday! It is high time for such Christians to understand that the weekly Sunday Eucharistic celebration is Easter in reality.

We are therefore, encouraged to continue experiencing the love and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ in the weekly Sunday mass where by Jesus reminds us of his body and blood, he gave us during the institution of the Eucharist. Dearly beloved brethren let this Easter solemnity be a daily celebration in our individual hearts. We believe that the joy we experience is from Jesus Christ the source of life. This joy cannot be given by the world and the world cannot take it away from us if we remain united with the risen Lord in his word, body and blood.

I wish you a very Happy Easter celebrations in the year 2025