Happy Easter!!! Easter Sunday was two weeks ago now, but Easter Time extends for fifty days, giving us a whole season to celebrate all the ways in which God brings new life into the world.  This time is an opportunity for us to develop a spirit that defines who we are as Christians. So what does living the spirit of the Easter season mean in practical terms?  I’d like to offer you some concrete suggestions.
 
One of my favorite post-resurrection encounters with Jesus was that of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.  The risen Christ walked along with them, but they did not recognize him until at the end of the journey they sat down with him and “he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.” (Lk 24:30)   St. Luke then tells us that at that moment they came to recognize him for he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Lk 24:35)   In effect Christ teaches them they will no longer see him in an earthly way but now they will see him with the eyes of faith in the Eucharist.
 
Encountering Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread, aka the Eucharist or the Mass
I am always happy to see increased attendance at daily Mass during Lent, but I never understand why the numbers go back to the faithful few during the Easter Season.  It is the Eucharist that defines us as Catholics.  The Gospel of Luke teaches us that the Mass is the most perfect way to encounter the risen Lord.  So, the best way to live the spirit of Easter is to try to attend daily Mass as often as possible.  If you have time in the morning join us Monday through Thursday beginning with Adoration at 7:10, Rosary at 7:40, and Mass at 8am.
 
Live with Joy
Joy is a deep-down gladness that cannot be taken away, even in the midst of sorrow. The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus teach us that suffering is transformed through faith in the Risen Christ. With this faith, we are able to hold on to an enduring sense of joy even in the midst of the sadness we experience from the loss of a loved one, a failure to achieve an important goal, or a setback during recovery from an illness.
 
Live without Fear
The Resurrection teaches us that God can overcome anything, even death. When the Risen Christ appears to the women at the tomb and later to his disciples, his first words are “Do not be afraid!” (Mt 28:5,10) These words speak to our hearts, helping us cope with the fear from the loss of a job, a serious illness, or a crumbling relationship. Our faith allows us to trust that God can overcome our most serious problems.
 
Live with New Eyes
Easter means to live with a sense of newness.  Just as the return of spring lifts our spirits and makes us feel like the whole world is new, so also, we’ll hear in our readings on May 19 ^th the Resurrection of Jesus makes “all things new.” (Rev. 21:5) The Easter spirit is a spirit of renewal that enables us to show up at work with a positive attitude, to renew relationships that have been taken for granted, and to express appreciation and affection to those closest to us. It means to see the world through new eyes—God´s eyes.
 
We can use these 50 days to cultivate an Easter spirit that enables us to be truly Christian: encountering our risen Lord in the Eucharist, embracing joy, living without fear, and seeing the world again—as if for the first time.  And throughout the fifty days in addition to the Easter liturgies each week and Mother’s Day next weekend, there will be all sorts of wonderful things to celebrate. There will be a First Communion (next Saturday at 6pm), Graduations (next Sunday at 11am), and my 40 ^th Anniversary (May 19 ^th at 11am).  You may even perhaps want to treat yourself to a margarita and some good Mexican food at Agave today to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  God is good.  We have many blessings here on Tybee.  Happy Easter again, and again, and again!!!

Fr. Jerry Ragan