By Rev. Msgr. Rob Kinnally
While walking around the parish property a couple of weeks ago, I noticed the crocuses and daffodils very slowly making their way upward through the newly-mulched flower beds. They seemed hesitant to bloom, especially when I had seen flowers in full bloom in some nearby towns. I wondered if there was a problem with our perennials-on-the-property: Are these flowers waiting for something in particular before they burst into springtime? Are they holding back in order to make a grand entrance? Are they afraid to leave the “comfort” of the underground and fearful of what the sun, rain, or a late frost might do to them? At that I point I stopped my musing because this train of thought was getting me nowhere. Then, in a moment of inspired insight, I realized that I was longing deeply for spring with its warmth, color, and hope. Not only that — I realized I was dying for Easter.
Easter is Christ rising up from the darkness below and breaking into an ordinary Sunday morning with glorious light, turning every Sunday into the Day of Resurrection. Easter is an invitation to bring your darkest moments, your worst sin, your addictions, your self-doubt, your fears, your anxiety, your loneliness, and your grief into the brightness of Christ-risen-in-glory so that those things will fade in the light of Jesus’ shining face. Easter is the proof that for those who die, life is merely changed, not ended.
In the cycle of life, death is the reality that breaks our hearts, gives us that indescribable empty feeling, and leaves us with an aching for the dear one who is no longer in our midst. Christ’s resurrection gives us the hope that our broken hearts can heal, our emptiness can be filled in with God’s Spirit, and our longing for our loved ones is satisfied by their presence in that great communion of saints. With Jesus, death no longer has the last word. With Jesus, there is a dwelling place with Him prepared by Him and promised to us as recorded in the Gospel of John, Chapter 14: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith* in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.
Imagine that day when we arrive at that “dwelling place” prepared for us and we stand before the Risen Christ. You will see His wounds, and He’ll see yours. But the pain has gone away because He has taken the worst of it to the Cross where it all died; and then He came back to life so that you can experience hope beyond all hope and know what it means to live, and live forever.
Resurrection opens the door to a new reality – now and in the life to come. So as we continue our journey into springtime and witness the new life around us, keep thinking of Easter, and life, and glorious light. In many Christian traditions, the seven days after Easter are considered Easter Sundays, and the Season of Easter lasts 50 days. It’s only fitting that there are more days of Easter than of Lent! Therefore, we owe it to ourselves to revel in Easter joy and hold onto the hope that comes from knowing that God has provided everything that Jesus promised in an earlier chapter of John’s Gospel (10:10): “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.”
Rev. Msgr. Rob Kinnally is the pastor of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in New Canaan and the Vicar General of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
