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Preparing for Easter

By Rita Murdock

    Lent is the penitential season preparing us for Easter. Easter is freshness and beauty. It is hope and life. The scripture readings, our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in Lent prepare us to resurrect with Christ.

    Beginning with ashes, we are reminded that from death comes life. We are created because of the goodness of God. We are loved by God and desire His life in us to be satisfied. Remember the loaves and fishes. Jesus’ life in us is the only real life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and our Life. 

    This Lent we are invited to renew our lives. Jesus invites us and has given us the Church to help us on our way to Him. His Way of the Cross (14 Stations) is a good reflection of how to carry our crosses. His very being invites us to know Him. His patience when condemned to die; love in accepting death; compassion in speaking to the women; endurance in rising after each fall; fortitude in allowing God’s will to be His; acceptance of Simon’s help and Veronica’s renewal….Jesus shows us how.

    We are an Easter people, but Lent comes first.  Jesus directs us to go out and spread the good news of hope, salvation, and resurrection. We do this by living the Way of the Cross in a simple and direct way. It is our joy to learn Christ. The Holy Spirit will help us, but we must ask. Then we can announce the good news and witness as God expects, with the exhilaration of truth, beauty and goodness. This is the Easter message. This is our work this Lenten penitential season.