Easter 2020

This Easter Sunday, even though the church doors are locked, rest assured that the gates of Hell are not locked. Indeed, the very door itself is broken down by the Lord of glory and the prisoners of death are being set free. Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven, exult, let Angel ministers of God exult, let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King's triumph! Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King,let all corners of the earth be glad, knowing an end to gloom and darkness. With these words the first Easter liturgy, the Vigil, begins. The words, "knowing an end to gloom and darkness" have a special significance for us at this time. Even though we are denied entrance into our churches to experience in person these beautiful liturgies, we have at least virtual connections and in our missals we have the full text of the words of Easter. With time on our hands, at least for most, we can take up these beautiful texts and let them talk to us deeply and personally. There is a method to be employed here. It is not just reading, as we might think of it with a book or news paper. Its listening, imagining, pondering, repeating; its spiritual reading on a higher level called Lectio Divina.  Here are some suggestion to help us with devotion. 1.      Take the texts for the Easter liturgies and start reading, but slowly, the goal is not to get quickly through them, rather it is pickup on something that stands out. 2.       Remember, liturgy is Jesus praying to the Father on our behalf. This is you who is the “we” in the prayer. 3.       Easter liturgy is rich in imagery, so use your imagination to form a picture of what you are reading. Put yourself in the picture. 4.       There are many who we hear speaking in the Easter liturgy; ancient prophets, disciples of Jesus, ordinary people, Jesus himself and the Father. What stands out in your hearing of these many voices? 5.       The sacrament of Baptism is a part of the Easter Vigil liturgy. Promises are made at baptism. How have you kept your promises? 6.       The Holy Spirit pours new life into hearts. Open yours and ask to be renewed, baptized anew in the Holy Spirit . 7.       Communion is the goal of Easter, communion in the very person of Jesus. “It is no long I who live but Christ living in me”, St. Paul teaches us. While we are unable to see, touch or taste the eucharistic sign of this communion, by “communion of desire” Jesus truly enters us who hunger for this union. Here is a link to an article dealing with praying scripture: [ ...LINK ...]

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