THE EASTER STORY

 

THE EASTER STORY

                                 -Nina M

(Edited version from the Goa times)

Easter is rich in symbolic meaning; centuries-old traditions have been passed on from one generation to another and these continue to be observed to this very day. It is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This explains the mystery of how the date for this festival is derived.

Not many are aware of the fact that the modern English term Easter developed from the old English word Easter, which itself developed prior to 899. The name refers to goddess Easter, who in Germanic paganism, was celebrated at the spring equinox.

Prior to the feast the faithful observe 40 days of Lent. These preparatory days are marked by fasting, penance and abstinence. It is a period of meditation, a time of reflection and renewal of oneself.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday. On the evening of Holy Thursday, the church enters into the Easter Tridumm, comprising of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

It was on Maundy Thursday many centuries ago, that Christ shared His body and blood with his disciples at the event written down as the Last Supper. With the symbolic breaking of bread and wine, the Lord ‘sealed God’s covenant’ and the holy sacrifice of his own life for the forgiveness of the sins of mankind.

The scene then shifts to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus took his disciples to pray; it was the night before His death. The hour had come when the Son of Man would be betrayed. As He was praying, Judas, the traitor identified Jesus to the soldiers. Jesus was then taken to the High priests and other officials at the time for the final judgment to be passed. Thus began his long and arduous journey to Cavalry, the place of crucifixion. These incidents took place on Good Friday. Though no mass is celebrated on this day, at the evening service, the Holy cross is adored, prayers are said and the entire story of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection is read. This day has led to many traditions. In Goa, for instance, the crucifixion scene is played out with the crucifixion of the statue and later the statue of the crucified Jesus is brought down from the cross and taken into procession.

In the evening, Christ was taken down from the cross and laid in his tomb. The church marks this time with a period of silence. Holy Saturday, as it is referred, is a day of meditation. Later that night, the church prepares for the resurrection of the Lord, before the mass, Easter vigils are held. At this point, the fire is blessed and the Paschal candle is lit. At the mass, the baptismal water is blessed and the baptismal water is blessed and baptismal vows renewed. At twelve, bells ring out with the joy and the congregation sings in praise; all proclaim the good news of the Lord’s resurrection.

In Goa, during the days following Easter, the priests visit each Catholic home and bless them. This happens in parishes across Goa.

With Christ’s death, He brought new life; with his resurrection, he opened the doors of salvation and fulfilled the promise of God the Father.

As ancient writer once wrote, “ As God created wonders even from the impossible, so that we will that only He can do as He wishes: From his death proceeds our life, from his wounds our healing, from his fall our resurrection, from his descent our rising up.”

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYBODY!!