+ The celebration of Easter is a true octave or eight day celebration. For eight days beginning on Easter, we continue the celebration of Easter day as though it were the exact same day. The joy of Easter needs at least that long to begin its manifestation that will last throughout the entire Easter Season, and indeed throughout the rest of the Church year, to some degree. There is no more important feast than Easter, for without Easter there would be no cause or reason for joy, or hope, or for peace in our lives. Everything depends on Easter – the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead – and our belief in it.
The first reading today speaks of the corrupt generation that existed at the time of Jesus which did not accept or believe in the possibility of the transformation that Easter inaugurated; but those who did accept and believe were added to the church by baptism. The same thing is true today – we still live in a corrupt generation, in fact, probably the most far reachingly corrupt that ever existed – but the transformative power of Easter is still available for those who believe and are baptized; for those who are already baptized and who renew their belief at this time of the year. This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it. Let us be grateful to God for seeing to it that we have the opportunity for salvation; that we have the possibility of spending eternity with him now, where at one time, it had been taken away from us.
And just as Mary Magdalene was given the grace by Jesus to recognize him in his risen presence; so may we pray that Jesus graces us with the same privilege: may he call us by name, and let us see him as he is, radiant and resplendent in risen glory – and available to us for our every need.
Yes, this is the day the Lord has made; this is Easter Day; let us be glad and rejoice in it!
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