Easter Sunday will be here soon and I know we talked about it last year, so I just want to hear some feedback about your thoughts on Easter. My wife still gets the kids a basket with goodies and thats Ok with me because my kids know about Easter. I get some things too.

 

I love Easter because with out Jesus Christ being on the cross and three days later rising from the tomb we would have no faith. Paul even mentions that in scripture. Luke 24 does a beautiful job in the way Jesus came back to find his disciples and the women. I have some more thoughts but I'll wait on some things so y'all can share some thoughts. Happy Easter Everyone!

I agree....the foundation of our faith. I think about how the entire process...the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were all part of God's plan because he desired a relationship with me. I am truly humbled by this thought and certainly not worthy of such love. I fail him in some way each day but beg his forgiveness and strive to do better tomorrow.

A year ago this saturday, at Easter Vigil, I was confirmed and welcomed into the Catholic church. I was a Baptist my entire life and went through a year long process to become a Catholic. I was raised in a good christian home and was never made believe that Easter was just about candy eggs. I had a solid faith foundation and always knew what Easter is really about or at least I thought I did.

 

At my confirmation we walked into the church and the only light was candles. The readings were all read by candles. The readings were dark, they told of his struggle. I was so overwhelmed with hurt. Hurt for this man who was hanging on a cross with crown of thrones on his head. Nails in his hands with his life blood dripping down the cross. Why God? Why would this man go through this? Why would anyone hang on a cross for me? How could anyone love me this much and why?

 

Then in a blink of the eye, the lights came on, the candles were all lit, the music was so beautiful and joyful. There was my answer. He hung on the cross, he gave his life for ME, so I could see the beauty and the LIGHT. The beauty of love, of life, of giving, the beauty of faith. Faith that God is alive and God is good (all the time).

"It is finished."

No Easter, no need for a Christian religion.

 

I agree with RebelK. The Catholic Church, from my personal experience, makes the season and the event far more meaningful than does any Protestant Church I have ever attended. It is a meaningful season from Ash Wendesday through Resurrection Sunday.

What a difference a week makes. This whole week, I try to give remembrance to Christ's last week and the change in the tide, the highs and the lows he went through.

 

On Palm Sunday he rode into town among cheers and love and all the buzz. By the end of the week, he was hated and despised. No doubt some of the same people who were cheering him a few days earlier were calling "crucify him" by Friday.

 

He tried to prepare his followers for what was to come, but they couldn't grasp it. He loved them, shared the Passover with them, had the first Lord's Supper with them. And in the end, they deserted him and denied him.

 

His anguish is well documented. Finally, as Hearsay posted, it was finished.

 

What a feeling of total isolation, total deserted lonliness the followers must have felt. Their last few years of devotion and everything they believed in was gone. Their master was dead. They still didn't understand.

 

And then the stone was rolled away to an empty grave and He had risen. He walked in newness of life. The King is Alive, and we serve a risen Savior even to this day.

 

Talk about a roller coaster ride.

I agree....the foundation of our faith. I think about how the entire process...the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were all part of God's plan because he desired a relationship with me. I am truly humbled by this thought and certainly not worthy of such love. I fail him in some way each day but beg his forgiveness and strive to do better tomorrow.

AMEN!

Everything.

I'll admit upfront that I am ignorant of non-Catholic practices/observances regarding Easter. Do other religions have mass/services each day of the Triduum?

"Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"^[

I agree....the foundation of our faith. I think about how the entire process...the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were all part of God's plan because he desired a relationship with me. I am truly humbled by this thought and certainly not worthy of such love. I fail him in some way each day but beg his forgiveness and strive to do better tomorrow.

:thumb: Very Nice.

I'll admit upfront that I am ignorant of non-Catholic practices/observances regarding Easter. Do other religions have mass/services each day of the Triduum?

 

The Baptist Church does not have a Holy Thursday service. On Good Friday we have the "Service of the Nails" and will take the Lord's Supper. We have a full slate of Sunday Easter services/vigils.

 

As a Baptist, I am going to be a heretic and state that I much prefer the Catholic/Episcopal service on holy days, especially Easter.

I am not unreligious, but to me all of the celebrations attendant to Easter are so awesome; the egg hunts; the Easter cantadas and plays; the Last Supper re-enactments; everyone has large family gatherings and they eat lamb with mint jelly; very nice.

Everything..

I pray that someone will hear a message and learn from it and realize how much we are Loved and have been blessed. Tomorrow I'll be in prayer and preparing for Sunday. Remember Gametime in your Prayers.