What is Easter for Catholics

EASTER

Many people think that Christmas is the most important day in the Catholic liturgical calendar, but from the earliest days of the Church, Easter has been considered the central Christian feast. As Saint Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:14, "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." Without Easter—without the Resurrection of Christ—there would be no Christian Faith. Christ's Resurrection is the proof of His Divinity.

Easter in the Catholic Church

Easter is not only the greatest Christian feast; Easter Sunday symbolizes the fulfillment of our faith as Christians. Through His Death, Christ destroyed our bondage to sin; through His Resurrection, He brought us the promise of new life, both in Heaven and on earth. His own prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven," begins to be fulfilled on Easter Sunday.

That is why new converts are traditionally brought into the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion) at the Easter Vigil service, on Holy Saturday evening. Their baptism parallels Christ's own Death and Resurrection, as they die to sin and rise to new life in the Kingdom of God.

Easter Duty

Most Catholics today receive Holy Communion each time they go to Mass, but that wasn't always the case. In fact, for a variety of reasons, many Catholics in the past very rarely received the Eucharist. Therefore, the Catholic Church made it a requirement for all Catholics to receive Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season. The Church also urges the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Confession in preparation for that Easter Communion, though you're only required to go to Confession if you have committed a mortal sin. This reception of the Eucharist is a visible sign of our faith and our participation in the Kingdom of God. Of course, we should receive Communion as frequently as possible; this "Easter Duty" is simply the minimum requirement set by the Church.​

The Easter Season

Just as Easter is the most important Christian holiday, so, too, the Easter season is the longest of the special liturgical seasons of the Church. It extends all the way to Pentecost Sunday, the 50th day after Easter, and encompasses such major feasts as Divine Mercy Sunday and Ascension.

In fact, Easter sends ripples out through the liturgical calendar even after the Easter season ends. Trinity Sunday and the feast of Corpus Christi, which both fall after Pentecost, are "moveable feasts," which means that their date in any given year depends on the date of Easter.

Easter

 

Matthew 28:5

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

Easter Trans Statement

 

        OFFICE OF THE PRESIDING BISHOP

        Reformed Catholic Church

        www.reformedcatholic.org     

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Dear Brothers, Sisters, and They/Them Siblings in Christ,

HAPPY EASTER!  On this most solemn yet celebratory of all Christian feasts, we bishops of the Reformed Catholic Church have chosen to raise our voices in support of the Transgender Day of Visibility which is also being commemorated on March 31^st, 2024.  Sadly, the basic human dignity of transgender men, women and non-binary individuals in some parts of the United States is increasingly being violated.

“Who am I?”  This question marks the beginning of philosophy—indeed, the beginning of theology--as well as of psychology or reflective thought.  During a recent trans support group meeting that one of our bishops attended, participants agreed: “No doctor can tell me who I am!”  Who can tell any of us who we are?  A bishop?  A parent?  A judge?  Yet when asked how this group would respond to anyone who asserts “God made them male and female and that is it,” participants forcefully answered: “God made my soul!”

Yes, the soul.  Isn’t that what we believers profess?  God has fashioned us in the womb of our mothers in every shape, color, ability, or disability as wonderful, unique creatures in God’s own image.  But with such diversity, such a broad spectrum of humankind, how specifically are we made in God’s own image?  We answer: Human beings are not defined or constrained by our perishable, physical body.  Human beings are marked by our eternal soul, invisible to the eye but the essence of our identity.

Here then is where we stand as brothers, sisters and non-binary siblings, as all of us are in one way or another on the spectrum of gender.  In particular, we want those who are  trans or non-binary to know you are God’s precious child for whom Jesus offered his very self, even unto death on the cross.  Jesus gives us all a share in the power of his Resurrection; the promise of eternal life with a new body, transformed and yet true to the nature of who we have become.

We walk arm in arm with those who identify as transgender or non-binary.  We heartily affirm what you have often said to the church at large, to your families, to society and all its institutions (political, legal, medical, educational, etc.): “I am who I am.”

Whether Jew or Greek, gender fluid or cis male, trans or non-binary, we all must respond to the call we hear in Deuteronomy 6:5 “to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and might,” followed by the second great commandment in Matthew 22:39 and Luke

10:27: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  We are also made aware in Galatians 3:28 that “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

While it may be challenging to compare any of our own life experiences to the experience of a transgender or non-binary person living in a predominantly cisgender society, the Holy Spirit calls us to respond to all with empathy and compassion.  But does not the New Testament impel us even further?  Not just to accept but to embrace, nurture, and even celebrate the most vulnerable among us.

Therefore…

The bishops and clergy of the Reformed Catholic Church hereby oppose all legislation that would hinder individuals from access to care that affirms their true gender identity appropriate to their age and stage of life.

We similarly oppose attempts by legislatures to prohibit doctors, nurses, educators, parents, and other individuals from providing appropriate gender-affirming care.

We are appalled by the physical and verbal violence being directed at trans and nonbinary persons.  We call on our members and all people of goodwill to reject all forms of violence directed at trans and non-binary persons, as well as at our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer brothers and sisters.

The faith communities of our Reformed Catholic Church are open to all transgender and non-binary persons.  They are welcome to receive and fully celebrate all the sacraments of the church.  We stand ready to nurture into leadership those who are called to sacred orders as deacons, priests, and bishops. We encourage all who have a call to ministry through the variety of gifts the Holy Spirit has given them--be it music, education, administration, and so forth--to join us in our mission.  In short, ALL ARE WELCOME in both body and soul.

May we all experience and celebrate renewal this Easter, and may God bless you!

Sincerely in Christ,

The Bishops of the Reformed Catholic Church

Reformedcatholic.org 

Mar 31 Easter

 

John 11:25

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

Mar 29

 

1 Peter 2:24

24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Mar 27

 

1 John 1:7

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Mar 26

 

Romans 8:32

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Five things Jesus did

 There are five things Jesus did leading up to his Crucifixion.   

Jesus knew it was his time to complete his time as a prophet and ascend. During his last week, he did five things leading up to his crucifixion. These are recorded in the New Testament of the Bible.  

These are good scriptures to read during the Holy Week.

The first was cleansing of the Temple and Cursing the fig tree.  You can find these incidents told in Matthew 21:1-22, Mark 11: 1-26, and Luke 19:28-48.

Jesus' second was the anointing of Bethany.  Keep in mind this was more of what was done to him when a woman in Bethany, a town, anointed Jesus with expensive oils.  These scriptures can be found in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8.

The third thing he did has become the most famous in modern times. This is the Last Supper.  This is one of the few events that is recorded in all four of the canonical Gospels. The scriptures that cover this event are Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-23, and John 13:1-17.

His fourth event is his Farwell Discourse and High Priestly Prayer. Only one scripture records this for us to contemplate now: John 14-17.

The Fifth and final event was Jesus' agony and betrayal. Even though he knew it was going to happen and where it would happen, he knew it would lead to his Crucifixion. He went anyway because he knew this had to be done to save humanity. This is another of the few events that all four gospels record. Matthew 26:36-56, Mark 14:32-52, Luke 22:39-53, and John 18:1-12 record it.

What have you done to prepare for Easter this Holy Week?

Mar 25

 

Matthew 6:14

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Palm Sunday

 For Palm Sunday

Phil 2:8-9 (ESV)

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 

Mar 24 Palm Sunday

 

Luke 19:38

38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!

Mar 22

 

Psalms 27:4

4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Mar 20 bonus scripture

 

Psalms 37:8

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Mar 20

 

2 Thessalonians 2:15

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Mar 18

 

3 John 1:4

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Mar 17

 

Proverbs 11:30 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

A post from a fellow Priest

 Greetings all and Happy St Patrick's day. 

I can't help it. St Pat's day makes me as carefree as a child. I know, I know. This is Lent and I should be introspective. It is like St Pat is a day to take a break from all seriousness. Jesus said "let the children come to me". I hope he also said; let them giggle and laugh. 

I truly believe that Jesus had a sense of humor and took time to play. I envision a thirtyish y o man out playing hide n seek with the kids and then going to pick some grapes or figs or peaches and then sitting on the ground with the kids to tell them about the kingdom. I picture the kids with sticky faces listening and smiling and laughing too. Oh to be so carefree.

Many St. Pats day celebrations are carefree and jovial. St Patrick is not a canonized saint, nor was he a bishop. He was not sent by the church to go back to Ireland. If I understand correctly, he felt called to go. That is an honorable trait. Going where God calls us to go may be different than what our bosses or family may tell us. Sometimes when we give ourselves over to God we find ourselves going in a direction we never saw for ourselves. Be not afraid, God will provide. Also take time to enjoy the journey you did not expect.

Oh and let your inner child laugh out loud!!!

Amen

Rev. Linda 

Mar 17

 

Psalms 1:1

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

Mar 16

 

2 Corinthians 4:6

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Mar 14

 

Numbers 6:24

24 “ ‘ “The LORD bless you and keep you;

Mar 10

 

John 1:16

16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

Mar 7

Psalms 25:9

9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Mar 5

 

2 Chronicles 7:14

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Mar 3

 

Ecclesiastes 5:2

2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

Mar 2

 

Proverbs 16:2

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.