by the Rev. Dr. Pamela Masten
Look around. Spring is here! The daffodils are poking up their heads! The days are getting longer! Yes, we made it to spring, and with that came Easter. Though Christians celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ on March 31, Easter is not just a day, it’s a season. Your chocolate eggs may be gone, you’ve had enough ham sandwiches to last for another year, and you feel like you celebrated Easter, but Easter isn’t over!
In western Christianity, Eastertide, or the Easter season, begins on Easter Sunday and lasts seven weeks, ending with the coming of the 50th day, Pentecost Sunday (the celebration of the gift of the Spirit to the body of Christ — the church). In our church we celebrated Easter with lilies and tulips, a beautiful choir and special music, an Easter egg hunt for the children and, of course, the good news that Christ is risen, indeed! Though we reflected on what the earliest followers of Jesus saw that first Easter morning, a 20-minute message does not seem adequate in order to understand what it means for us and all of creation. Hence, an Easter season may be exactly what is needed to grapple with the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus.
I love Easter, and I love the traditions that go with it. I still remember my uncle bringing baby chicks to our kitchen for my siblings and me on Easter morning! The older I get, the more I want to wrestle with the idea that death has been swallowed up in victory, and how the Resurrection gives us new birth into a living hope; I’m grateful that the church gives us time to rejoice and experience what we mean when we say, "Christ is risen." It’s a season for focusing on what we believe and how we live out our faith, and for preparing for what’s next. My time in Auburn has provided me space to reflect on the goodness of life and also remembering the joy of life to come. Signs of spring will do that, as bright yellow daffodils pop up out of nowhere, after days of clouds and gray skies. And who doesn’t look forward to spotting a robin on their lawn as a welcome sign of spring?
On Monday, April 8, in Auburn, we were fortunate to be on the path of a total solar eclipse, the first one I have seen in my life, and for me, it is a reminder of the gift of life we have been given. Look at how families were planning to gather together to witness the handiwork of God, as we donned our eclipse glasses around town. Look how people were coming together as we encouraged wonder, celebrated community and educated people of all ages. Look how local businesses were working together, thereby strengthening community relationships. It's not coincidental that this year, the eclipse happened during Eastertide, as this year we weren’t able to miss seeing God at work on April 8!
Eastertide gives us a chance to grow deeper in our understanding of what the Resurrection means. What would happen if we become more aware of God’s goodness all around us, noticing the beautiful sunsets over Cayuga Lake, walking through a cemetery and thanking God for the saints gone before, hearing the sounds of children’s laughter, and sharing a homemade meal with old friends and new ones? What would happen if we ruminated on what’s really important in life? Do we need to make some changes in our life, work and relationships? Will you and I embrace the gift of life and pass it on to our neighbors in Cayuga County and beyond?
Happy Easter, friends! Eastertide is a time of new beginnings, new life and growth. I invite you to experience the richness of Eastertide by becoming present to the goodness and wonder of life abundant in and around our beautiful Cayuga County. How can these reminders help us to better live our lives to grow, learn and serve?
The Rev. Dr. Pamela Masten, BCC, is temporary paster at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St., Auburn. For more information, visit westminsterauburn.org or call (315) 252-3331.
Look around. Spring is here! The daffodils are poking up their heads! The days are getting longer! Yes, we made it to spring, and with that came Easter. Though Christians celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ on March 31, Easter is not just a day, it’s a season. Your chocolate eggs may be gone, you’ve had enough ham sandwiches to last for another year, and you feel like you celebrated Easter, but Easter isn’t over!
In western Christianity, Eastertide, or the Easter season, begins on Easter Sunday and lasts seven weeks, ending with the coming of the 50th day, Pentecost Sunday (the celebration of the gift of the Spirit to the body of Christ — the church). In our church we celebrated Easter with lilies and tulips, a beautiful choir and special music, an Easter egg hunt for the children and, of course, the good news that Christ is risen, indeed! Though we reflected on what the earliest followers of Jesus saw that first Easter morning, a 20-minute message does not seem adequate in order to understand what it means for us and all of creation. Hence, an Easter season may be exactly what is needed to grapple with the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus.
I love Easter, and I love the traditions that go with it. I still remember my uncle bringing baby chicks to our kitchen for my siblings and me on Easter morning! The older I get, the more I want to wrestle with the idea that death has been swallowed up in victory, and how the Resurrection gives us new birth into a living hope; I’m grateful that the church gives us time to rejoice and experience what we mean when we say, "Christ is risen." It’s a season for focusing on what we believe and how we live out our faith, and for preparing for what’s next. My time in Auburn has provided me space to reflect on the goodness of life and also remembering the joy of life to come. Signs of spring will do that, as bright yellow daffodils pop up out of nowhere, after days of clouds and gray skies. And who doesn’t look forward to spotting a robin on their lawn as a welcome sign of spring?
On Monday, April 8, in Auburn, we were fortunate to be on the path of a total solar eclipse, the first one I have seen in my life, and for me, it is a reminder of the gift of life we have been given. Look at how families were planning to gather together to witness the handiwork of God, as we donned our eclipse glasses around town. Look how people were coming together as we encouraged wonder, celebrated community and educated people of all ages. Look how local businesses were working together, thereby strengthening community relationships. It's not coincidental that this year, the eclipse happened during Eastertide, as this year we weren’t able to miss seeing God at work on April 8!
Eastertide gives us a chance to grow deeper in our understanding of what the Resurrection means. What would happen if we become more aware of God’s goodness all around us, noticing the beautiful sunsets over Cayuga Lake, walking through a cemetery and thanking God for the saints gone before, hearing the sounds of children’s laughter, and sharing a homemade meal with old friends and new ones? What would happen if we ruminated on what’s really important in life? Do we need to make some changes in our life, work and relationships? Will you and I embrace the gift of life and pass it on to our neighbors in Cayuga County and beyond?
Happy Easter, friends! Eastertide is a time of new beginnings, new life and growth. I invite you to experience the richness of Eastertide by becoming present to the goodness and wonder of life abundant in and around our beautiful Cayuga County. How can these reminders help us to better live our lives to grow, learn and serve?
The Rev. Dr. Pamela Masten, BCC, is temporary paster at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St., Auburn. For more information, visit westminsterauburn.org or call (315) 252-3331.
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