I haven’t gone into details about the dying and resurrection with my daughter yet because she is just like I was when I was little, and I know she wants everything, not just endings, to be happy. So, for now, I will accept the bunnies, eggs, and little chicks associated with the holiday. This Sunday we will get up, have our Easter Egg hunt, get dressed for Mass, and enjoy the most lovely service of the liturgical year. I’ll do this knowing that one day, when she is old enough, I will sit her down and tell her about the real importance of the mystery and glory of Holy Week: the great gift of eternal life that came from the sacrifice of one man whom I believe happened to be the Son of God.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Great article, wonderfully written.
2 - Victor Lana
Thank you so very much, Gordon. It's appreciated.
3 - chantal stone
Beautifully written Victor. I also reflect in awe the deep meaning of this week to so many people, including myself, as a Christian.
The commercialism of this holiday always bothers me. A friend--who is easily consumed by materialism and commercialism--asked me the other day if I "celebrate" Easter. The question confused me, really, because I thought how does one actually celebrate? And I asked her this....what she meant of course was about the dying of eggs, Easter baskets for the kids, etc.
I said yes we do those things, just for the fun of it, for the kids' sake, but I reminded her of the deeper meaning of Easter, and in order to truly "celebrate" all that is necessary is Reverence.
Have a wonderful weekend, Victor.
4 - Josh
Good article. "Good Friday" may have originally been "God's Friday", and just eroded to "good" over the centuries.
5 - Lisa McKay
Great piece, Victor.
There's something about this time of year that affects everyone, I think, even us non-religious types, who still manage to find spiritual nourishment in the physical re-birth of the world that takes place all around us every spring. The archetypal themes of redemption and rebirth that underpin this holiday resonate with most people, regardless of their religious convictions. I think it conveys both hope and possibility, and the need to believe in both of those things is pretty universal.
6 - Victor Lana
Josh, that sounds very reasonable (just like "holy day" became "holiday"), still it always bothered me as a kid. Even today I feel depressed as I always have on Good Friday, so I don't feel too well and so on.
All will seem much brighter come Easter at sunrise.
7 - Diane Ensey
Your daughter and her questions reminds me of my brother when he was 5. The Sunday School teacher asked him what Easter was. My brother very solemnly said "It is the day that rabbits burned Jesus on the cross for being a witch". My mother was embarrassed and horrified, but the poor kid just had Halloween and Easter all mixed up.
Lovely post!
8 - Josh
Diane, that is about the most hilarious thing I've heard in a long time!
9 - Victor Lana
That is a great story, Diane. Kids say such fantastic things and you can't make it up any better.
10 - Baronius
Wow. Victor, if blogging has any purpose, it's for sharing articles like this.
11 - Victor Lana
Thank you for your kind comment, Baronius. It's appreciated.
12 - jimbobybob
attack attack
13 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Another fine article I managed to find as a result of some fool launching a spam attack.
I don't agree with the sentiments expressed above, Victor, but I can understand them, and the sense of mystery and awe you feel.
In addition, this was a fine piece of writing.
14 - Victor Lana
As always, Ruvy, I appreciate it when fine writers like you read my work and give praise. Thank you.