Celebrate
It’s a bit surreal watching your child doing things that you couldn’t fathom doing at their age. Maybe you’ve witnessed a friend’s child or grandchild display gifts and abilities outside your own wheelhouse. It truly makes believing in God’s power and love for us easier!
This weekend is our high school’s performance of their spring musical, “Brigadoon.” I know I will be in awe of my daughter as well as the rest of the company as the culmination of their talents and hard work goes on display. The date of the spring musical shifts a little bit each year, but this year, whether the date was intentional or not, couldn't have been better. To have a student performance within the Octave of Easter - that is an exciting way to celebrate the glory and reaches of our Lord!
I try to listen to the Augustine Institute’s daily reflections on “Formed.” Rejoicing in the resurrection was the welcomed theme right after Easter Sunday. But then Dr. Tim Gray gave me pause when he said that we are better at giving up than we are at rejoicing - “Unfortunately, we are really good at penance. We are not so good at the joyful way of being and celebrating the victory of Christ.”
I heard that, and I was like no, is that true? And because the Holy Spirit seems to perk up my ears when I need to hear something, I even replayed that phrase a couple times. And then I thought about it.
We can intentionally commit for over 40 days to acts of prayer and fasting, but when it comes to intentionally celebrating for 50 days during the Easter season, or at least during the 8 days of the Easter Octave, are we merrymakers? I admit it - it feels right and dutiful to penitentially enter into Lent. But once Easter Sunday passes, how do I rejoice? How has the stone rolled away in my life? Do I mindlessly return to my daily routine?
This Easter Octave, I’ve tried harder to hold on to the joy of the risen Christ. He is risen. He is risen, indeed! And tonight I’ll watch my daughter and many of her friends and company-mates perform, sharing their God-given talents. That’s a great way to celebrate Easter.
