Easter: A Season celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord


Cross at Calvary

Easter is the season when we celebrate the first appearances of the Risen Christ and lasts for 40 days until we reach Ascension Day, the time when Jesus ascended to heaven and the disciples waited until the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Easter has many meanings and associations:

It is a time when we celebrate our Lord's victory over death. A time when we think about the fact that Jesus shows that death is not an end, but a means to the eternal life of heaven which we are promised through faith in him.

It is a time when we think of new life and beginnings; how having been forgiven in the Cross and resurrection, we can start afresh with hope for the future.

How does the Church portray this in its practice?

We can look to Scripture as a source of understanding about how the events of Easter took place.

Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20 (most detailed account) - speak of how Jesus appeared to Mary, the disciples, doubting Thomas, the Emmaus Road (Luke)

The Stories then continue in the book of Acts speaks of the Ascension. St Paul speaks of the meaning of the Resurrection and the questions which we raise in the 15th Chapter of the 1st Letter to the Corinthians.

How does the Church express this?

Easter is a time of Celebration. We haven't sung the Gloria, Alleluias or anything 'jolly' during Lent. Now it is the time to celebrate!

The colour of gold or white is used as a sign of celebration. The vestments and the hangings reflect this. It acts as a contrast to the blue and purple, symbolising sorrow, which we use at Lent.

Flowers are used - lilies symbolising the purity of Jesus' death, the Easter Garden being a symbol of Jesus' first appearance in the garden, as a gardener to Mary.

Some Churches celebrate the coming of Easter with the rising of the Sun at Dawn or on the Saturday evening with a vigil when out of darkness comes the light of the Risen Lord. Some communities following the pattern of the Early Church celebrate Easter with Baptism and Confirmation. Easter is a time for lighting the Candle of the Resurrection.

Easter is the time when we celebrate Jesus' Victory over Death - that there is life beyond. The life, which is, promised us in having faith in Jesus - that through his Victory he will raise us. Take both the Cross and the Resurrection out, and none of us would probably be here today.

Easter gives us the symbol of hope. Don't we need that in the world at this time? Easter shows that through forgiveness which we experience in Jesus' death we can reach the Peace which he brings in his Risen Form.