We are now about half-way through the Season of Easter. Such is the joy of the resurrection that we spend fifty days celebrating the passing over of Christ from death to new life.
Our Introductory Rites during the Easter season focus on the Rite of Sprinkling Holy Water. For us as Catholics, we believe that in baptism, we share in Christ’s passover from death to new life. It is only fitting then, that we are reminded of our baptism in such a way during the fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost.
The Easter season is also the one season during the liturgical year when we listen to readings from the Acts of the Apostles. We are reminded of how the early followers of Jesus spread the Good News in the weeks, months and years following the resurrection. While the apostles were frightened at first, they went on to become bold ambassadors, preachers and teachers of the message of Christ. The very use of the word apostle is important. The word comes from the ancient Greek word apostolos, meaning one sent forth as a messenger.
During the Easter season, we are, like the first apostles, called to celebrate the resurrection and share the Good News of Jesus with others. It may not require us to “preach boldly” in the same way Peter and Paul did, taking the very real risk of being driven out of town. Maybe at times it does. Perhaps the challenge for us is to pay attention to our actions, and the way we relate to others in our everyday lives. Yet we are still sent forth from the Eucharistic celebration; to “go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”
So during this Easter season, take some time to ask yourself this question: What does Christ call me to do each Sunday once I walk out the Church doors?
Liturgy 