Easter Joy
"Haec dies, quam fecit Dominus, exaltemus et laetemur in ea!"
"This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
Easter Sunday, the Solemnity of Solemnities, is a day of great joy. Christ has risen as He said. --- As He said. --- This is very important. Because many did not believe what Christ had foretold, that He would truly rise from the dead. Many did not trust through the Crucifixion that there would be a Resurrection.
It is hard in our overwhelming trials, or great sufferings, or even day-to-day annoyances to see past them. That despite all these difficulties, there are two important things to remember. First, God is with us, and second, God will bring good out of it. That is easy to say, but hard to remember.
This Easter Day reminds us of this important truth. That God is truth. What He says is true. He tells the disciples on the way to Emmaus, "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into His glory?" And St. Paul says, if we suffer with Him, we shall reign with Him. All our trials in life are given to us for a reason, that we may suffer with Christ so to share in His glory.
This Easter joy is really the hallmark of our Faith. Christ has risen from the dead and has redeemed us by His Blood. We are heirs to eternal life. We must never forget the inseparable connection between the Cross and the Resurrection. Without the Cross, there would not have been a Resurrection, and without the Resurrection, the Cross makes no sense.
As we continue to celebrate Easter through the octave, may we be truly joyful and thankful for all God has done for us. And I hope this post is brief, that we may enjoy this time with our families on such a joyous occasion! Happy Easter!