Reading the first bible verses today from Isaiah, would you think that you were in the season of fasting, sacrificing, penance? It does not strike me that way.
While the Passion and Death of Jesus were painful for him, what he suffered is a cause of genuine celebration ... a celebration of thanksgiving for the gift he has given to each person: the forgiveness of one's sins.
While we celebrated Laetare Sunday yesterday, a special day of rejoicing, a day to remind us of the outpouring of Jesus love for each of us, the Church carries that theme over in today's reading.
Indeed even at this point of the Lenten journey, we can quietly life up our hearts in thanksgiving to Jesus for what he did for us. Our rejoicing today helps us, hopefully, better understand the gift and the suffering.
If anyone of us was being invited to a very unique and special celebration in just a few weeks, preparations would already be underway in our lives. There would hardly be a day when we did not speak about the event, the people we might hope to meet. Surely we might be sharing the good news with friends and family.
And, so, the question: have you had any similar thoughts about the big event coming in just a few days: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? I wonder how many Roman Catholics have spoken to others of whatever faith or even our own about what a great day is soon to be upon in ways that related directly to the religious aspect of the event, the day of salvation. Surely Easter meals, baskets, childrens' events are topics we hear now. But what about the major reason for this season? Is it a part of who I am?
Read the next posting as well. Thank you. Good to be back with you. I know you did not loose your faith simply because this blogger was out of computer range for the last three days.
