Reflection for the Easter Weekend

We reflect during Lent on what it means to us, the sacrifices we make and recognize of all the ones Christ made for us. The three days of Christ’s passion, within the Church referred to as the Triduum, we are given another opportunity to reflect on our lives and Christ’s role within it. During this time we should consciously commit to live more like Christ; as we remember His death, the greatest sacrifice on Good Friday, which is a moment that forever changed - and still changes – all human History through the great self gift from the Son of God who did for us what we could never do for ourselves, giving us eternal life by conquering death for us. Most Catholics tend to think of Easter as only having to reflect and commit during the 40 sacred days, with the most important on Easter Sunday. We tend to go back to our normal habits on Monday and never see the overall importance of the Easter Triduum in the whole season.

Easter Triduum might not be a term we use in our daily lives; however, most of us are very familiar with it. It is the three-day celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ - beginning on Holy Thursday, His Death on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. While mass is not served during those days, there are special services for the incredible occasion which took place just under 2000 years ago. As the Vatican Council II states, "Christ redeemed us all and gave perfect glory to God principally through his paschal mystery: in dying He destroyed our death and in rising He restored our life. Therefore the Easter Triduum of the passion and resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire liturgical year.

I guess I had never thought of the Easter Triduum is a new beginning for us all. Without Christ's love and sacrifice for us, we would not get the chance to live and reflect it each year. But why each year? Why is it that we have to have Easter to remind us how much we are loved by God each year. What can I learn this year differently tht will affect my life for years to come? What if I took that love and extended it throughout the year, so that next year I didn't have to start over each Easter. I could rejoice each year in the love and affirmation for myself that Christ has for me, not just think about what small sacrifices I would make over the 40 days, just to go back to my life until Lent next year. Being a wife and mother, I am usually busy putting the needs of others first; would it be selfish this year if I started with myself? I know that I can never be spiritually whole or fully be aware of the sacrifices Christ made for me if I am not aware of and do not value the love that I AM. If I am not whole, how can I fully give of myself to my children, my husband, my family, all of humanity or all of God's creations on our amazing planet? I know what I need to do this Easter season, I am going to create my own personal commandments to live by, not in lieu of the original 10 Commandments, but rules to apply to which I will surrender all that I am and trust all of my fears to God. If I do not own all that I AM or love myself as God does, who will and how can I surrender to His will? That sisters, is what Triduum of Easter will forever be to me. I challenge you to do the same? Reflect this weekend on your journey to live in Christ daily all year, for the rest of your lives, not just for the 40 days of Lent.