Happy Easter!

…is it just me or has Easter arrived too early this year?

As many of you know, I do enjoy springtime and the beauty of the flower. For me, flowers always represent the beautiful creative energy of God. The blossoming of flowers, springtime, and the wonderful celebration of Easter seem to naturally belong together . . . but this year . . . things seem to be a little off. Easter has come a bit too early for the flower to be able to truly share in the statement of the season.

With that being said . . . maybe you’re not ready to celebrate Easter either. Or more accurately…perhaps it is I who am not ready to celebrate Easter . . . Hmmm!

Lent is without a doubt my most favorite time of year in my journey of faith . . . it is the time period when I just feel that I receive and release so much spiritual energy. So, although I’m not ready to celebrate Easter just yet . . . it’s okay.

The Resurrection of Christ is a life-changing event in salvation’s history. Resurrection for Catholics is also a process toward new life. The road to this new life is paved with moments of darkness and of light . . . moments of death and of resurrection. So, even though we are celebrating Easter because the liturgical date and time have arrived . . . our (yours and my) personal Easter will come when we emerge from the cave of darkness into the light of the new day . . . into the new way of living.

Regardless as to where we are at in this process today, let us join with our brothers and sisters around the world and celebrate this great liturgical season and event. But know also that our personal resurrections will soon arrive…during the time God has determined for us.

So journey with me today on the road to faith as we celebrate the liturgical beauty of Easter, but, as the process toward a new way of living continues, remember to “stop and smell the flowers.”

- Fr. Bob

March 23, 2008