Former pastor of Holy Cross Church in Callicoon and St. Patrick’s Church in Long Eddy.

CALLICOON – The Christian calendar places the Feast of Easter at its center. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead as narrated by the Biblical writers of the New Testament. Christians believe that Jesus’ resurrection points to His victory, accomplished through the Cross, over sin and death, offering salvation to all who believe.

Easter is celebrated with a mix of religious and cultural traditions. Special services are held in many places of worship, accompanied with festive song. The season is also associated with symbols of spring and renewal such as flowers, colored eggs, chocolate and butter lambs.

In the Christian liturgical calendar, Easter is preceded by a period of 40 days (the season of Lent) to prepare ourselves through prayer, fasting and giving alms for this feast.

In the Hebrew Scriptures the Seder meal celebrated by our Jewish sisters and brothers during the period of Passover that coincides very closely with Easter on the calendar, commemorates in the book of Exodus (Ex 3:1-12), God’s rescue of his People from bondage in Egypt. It speaks very powerfully, as Easter does, of hope, renewal and new life.

The Resurrection of Jesus is not just a moment that happened in time, but continues to this day because it speaks of Jesus who is alive now among us. And because He is alive. We have access to Him through our prayers. In our prayer we raise our minds and hearts to a living God hear and now.

I have a plaque in my office here in Boston that reads “Prayer Changes Things.” If we truly believe this, as I certainly do, then Jesus who lives among us will hear our prayers, whatever they may be.  Many times our prayers are those of petition asking God to grant us our requests. Jesus tells us to “Ask and you will receive” (Mt 7:7). The risen Christ always hears our prayers and grants us what we need most.  Remember when we feel lost or in the dark Jesus is there to turn to.

The feast of Easter is not something we celebrate once a year in the springtime, but live throughout the year.  For we are an Easter people called each day to give life to others.

For Christians death is no longer the final word. Jesus rose to show us what is possible: that our sins can be forgiven, our shame can be lifted, and that the grave no longer possesses any power over us.

In all its forms – religious observance, family traditions, or simply the joy of Spring – Easter remains a time of renewal, hope and celebration.

Happy Easter to all.