Today is the day after and there may be tell tale signs of the day past, such as a few pieces of the Easter basket grass that always seem to escape the clean-up if you have children or grandchildren in the house. But what is left after the 40 days of spiritual preparation culminating in the glories of the Easter celebration? Are we done until next Lent? Do we put it behind us and move on with our busy secular lives? The Church does not just celebrate Easter-the day- but Easter the season. The gospel for today takes us with Mary and Magdalene to the tomb and their discovery that Jesus has risen. They went to the tomb in mourning and leave with hope and an unfathomable joy. Throughout this week the readings continue to celebrate the first Easter. They remind us over and over that the celebration is far from over. It really is just beginning. Easter season continues until Pentecost. It is a seven week celebration of what God has in store for all of us, an eternal new life that releases us from the suffering and sin of this life. In the meantime, just as Jesus was with the disciples until his Ascension, He is just as present to us if we are open to that presence. It is indeed a time to continue the celebration even beyond the seven weeks of the Easter season to eternity. It is always time to sing and dance for joy in the knowledge that no matter what comes our way, the risen Christ is truly with us. |