THE MEANING of EASTER Saint Basil the Great, a Father of the Church from Cappadocia, Used

THE MEANING OF EASTER
Saint Basil the Great, a Father of the Church from Cappadocia, used an analogy to a foot race to explain the meaning of Easter and the Mystery of Faith (the death and resurrection of Jesus). Basil said that the runner runs the race, touches the pole, and comes back in the opposite direction. He said that living the pattern of the death and resurrection of Jesus is similar. He compares living the pattern of the death of Jesus to the first leg of the foot race. In that first leg, we choose, we resolve, to sin no more. Then, there is the pause, as the runner touches the pole. The second or return leg is living the pattern of the rising of Jesus. This leg is the choice to live the love of God in the form of the Two Great Commandments, love of God and neighbor.

During Lent, we choose to put an end to our sins by repentance and live in the love of the Lord, with an emphasis on His death. During Easter, we celebrate God’s gift of New Life, with an emphasis on His resurrection and our share in it. Christ has risen! Having followed Jesus during Lent 2018, we have risen, too!

Happy Easter!

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, APRIL 8 OPPORTUNITY FOR A PLENARY INDULGENCE
In the year 2000, Pope Saint John Paul II, declared, at the direction of Jesus, transmitted by Saint FaustinaKowalska, that the faithful may receive a plenary indulgence, i.e., the grace and pardon of Baptism on the Feast of the Divine Mercy. To receive this plenary indulgence, the faithful must make a good confession within 20 days of the feast, receive Communion worthily within 20 days of the feast, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. In addition, the faithful must participate in a celebration of the Divine Mercy on the feast day (our parish service will begin at 2:30 pm in the church) or we must pray before the Blessed Sacrament, exposed or in the tabernacle, recite there the Our Father and the Creed, adding a prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus. This offer by the Church of a plenary indulgence is a wonderful expression of God’s greatest attribute, His Mercy. I hope the whole parish accepts this wonderful offer.

By the way, we will have a special program on the feast explaining the origin of the Divine Mercy teaching and devotion on Divine Mercy Sunday. The presentation will take place in the parish hall starting at 1:30 pm. Please plan to join us for this inspiring and informative afternoon.

God bless.

Father Nick