Easter gives 50 days to focus on ‘going forth’ in name of Jesus

Published: April 15, 2017

By Judy Hoelzeman
St. Edward Church, Little Rock

On Easter Sunday we may sing, “Jesus Christ is risen today” but the mystery and joy of the resurrection could never be expressed in a single day.

That’s why the Church celebrates the Easter Season for a full 50 days, beginning with Easter and ending with Pentecost. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal calls this season “the great Sunday.” Let’s be extra focused, especially at Sunday Masses, during these 50 days.

Here are some things to watch for. On each of the seven Sundays of Easter, the first reading will not come from the Old Testament as usual, but from Acts of the Apostles. We will learn how the early disciples, in spite of their devastating grief, confusion and fear, became willing to understand and accept the ministry Jesus had called them to.

Even more, we learn how the power of the Holy Spirit helped them overcome their fear, transforming them into powerful preachers, healers and examples to others.

Most of the Gospel readings during the Easter season come from the Gospel of John. Believed to be the “beloved disciple” of the Scriptures, John writes not so much to inform us of facts as to invite us to reflect on the meaning of the resurrection, and to transform us as spiritual beings.

John uses symbols in his writing, especially light. The word “Easter” itself comes from Old English, “east,” referring to the sun’s light which brings reassurance and is a symbol of Christ, the true light of the world.

During the Easter season, instead of the customary penitential act, (“Lord Have Mercy”) the blessing and sprinkling of water is used as a reminder of our baptism. The lighted Easter candle (blessed at the Holy Saturday vigil Mass), festive white vestments and the use of incense are also powerful reminders that this is the most significant of the Church’s liturgical seasons.

No matter what the season, the final hymn at every Mass is meant to send us forth with confidence. The words of this song should fit what’s happening. We are leaving the confines of the church to go out into the world to fulfill our Christian mission with joy and determination. The Eucharist has given us the strength to do that.

How do we go about it? Pope Francis spoke of this being “sent forth” in his Easter Sunday message in 2014: “In Jesus, love has triumphed over hatred, mercy over sinfulness, goodness over evil, truth over falsehood, life over death … The Good News … is about leaving ourselves behind and encountering others, being close to those crushed by life’s troubles, sharing with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the outcast.”

We make Jesus’ resurrection triumph real when we leave the celebration of the Eucharist determined to reach out to others. Be attentive and aware. Whom do you know right now who is crushed by life’s troubles? Start there.

Mark says in his Gospel account of the resurrection: “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here (16:6).”

Like Mark, Pope Francis encourages us to look for Jesus in a new way and in new places. Jesus is in the people the pope is calling us to consciously encounter. We can make a lot of progress toward that goal in the 50 days of this glorious Easter season.

This article was originally published in Arkansas Catholic April 15, 2017. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock. All rights reserved. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher.