Easter People - and alleluia is our song!

Under the Old Covenant, God's People observed Passover each year - and fifty days later, they celebrated Pentecost. (50=Pente).

It is no coincidence that Good Friday coincides with Passover. As Jesus was dying on the cross, the sacrificial lambs were being slaughtered at the Temple in Jerusalem. (How's that for timing?!)

It is no coincidence that the Descent of the Holy Spirit (on Pentecost) coincides with the Jewish Feast of Seven Weeks - Pentecost. There were Jews from every country in Jerusalem that day, speaking different languages, and all celebrating the Old Covenant feast. (How's that for timing?!)

And so, the Early Church set aside fifty days between the Resurrection and Pentecost as a special liturgical season. This period of time is called the Easter Season.

In the Early Church, it was not a time of Penitential practice. It was a time to "exult in God's goodness" (according to the Little White Book published by the Diocese of Saginaw).

And so, here's the question I have for you...

How will you be spending the 50 days of Easter?

Live them deliberately.

Exult in the goodness of Our God.

He has turned death into New Life.

He has broken the chains of sin.

Go ahead. Celebrate.

As Pope John Paul II said, "We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song."

(It's okay to leave a note in the comment box, sharing how you are living out your 50 days of Easter.)