catholic family faith

Happy Easter!...continues...

The Easter bunny has hopped back to his burrow.  The eggs have been eaten (or tossed out).  The baskets and Easter grass have been put away.  Easter Sunday clothes have been cleaned and hung up, waiting for another festive occasion.

Wait!  There's another festive occasion coming up this week!  The third Sunday of Easter!

For us Catholics, Easter didn't end with the consumption of the chocolate, eggs, and the end of the Easter commercials.  We continue to celebrate Easter for 50 days, until Pentecost.  It is important for us to remember that this season is one long celebration of Christ's resurrection.

Of course, we celebrate Christ's death and resurrection each time we participate in a Eucharistic liturgy.  But through the Easter season, we especially recall the events following Christ's resurrection and take our place along side the disciples in the upper room, on the road to Emmaus, on the boat, on the beach and wherever Christ appears to his followers.

How is your family keeping the spirit of Easter alive through this 50 day season?  Decorations?  Festive clothing?  Chocolate!?  Reading and reflecting on the Easter Scriptures?  Attending the Lord's Day liturgies?

Lord's Day Faith Chat - Third Sunday of Easter - April 26, 2009

When Jesus appeared to the disciples, he "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures."  It was through his words and actions that the disciples came to know the truth about his life, passion, death, and resurrection.

Through the words and actions of our families, we and our children come to know Jesus.  We grow in our understanding of who Jesus is and our relationship with him within the presence and actions of our families.

Faith Chat Question:  What are some ways that you know that God is with you?  When and with whom do you feel closest to God?

Faith Response:  Share a prayer of forgiveness.  Light a candle.  Invite each person to say "I'm sorry" for something they did or didn't do this week, then have everyone say "I forgive you."  Pray the Our Father together and end with a family hug.

Prayer:  Resurrected Christ, help us to recognize you in the words and actions of our families and friends.  Amen.

Lord's Day Faith Chat - Easter - April 12, 2009

Jesus is risen!  Alleluia!  What a joyous day for Christians!  The celebration of Jesus' passion, death, and Resurrection is THE most important celebration of our Christian faith.

Because of Jesus' Resurrection, we have the hope-filled belief that we will live with Jesus forever.  His Resurrection helps us to look forward to life after our life on this earth ends.  And so we strive to live with everlasting life in mind.  What we experience in our current earth-bound  life will not last, but it does prepare us for continued life in the everafter.  How we live now expresses what we believe about our continued life with Christ.

Faith Chat Question:  How does your belief in Jesus' Resurrection impact your view of the world?  In what ways do you show that you believe that Jesus rose from the dead?

Faith Response:  Cut a cross from poster board or a large sheet of paper.  On the cross, draw pictures of Easter symbols.  Display your Easter cross throughout the 50 days of the Easter season.

Pray:  Resurrected Christ, may we be your witnesses, sharing your life and love with our families, friends, and all those we meet.  Amen.

Easter Eggs & Bunnies

Whenever I ask children what happens on Easter, usually their first response has something to do with the Easter bunny and Easter eggs.  So how did these symbols become associated with Easter, the day we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and God?

The title "Easter" for this holiday has its roots in the Pagan equinox festival.  The ancient Saxons (on the isle now known as Britain) devoted the month of April to celebrating their goddess of fertility, Eastre or Eostre.  Eastre's sacred animal is the hare, rabbit, which is a common symbol of fertility and birth.  The Easter bunny bringing eggs and gifts to children is believed to have its origins in 16th century Germany.  The Germans then brought this tradition to America.

Eggs have long been associated with springtime and life.  The ancient Romans and Greeks used eggs in their rites to their fertility gods.  Even the Jewish ritual of the Passover seder includes eggs.  In the spring, new birds and animals are born, so nests of eggs are a natural part of springtime.  Coloring eggs and giving them to people you love is a tradition that goes back to 16th century Germany.

Life comes from eggs.  All animals - mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians - are born of eggs.  (Parents, there are some really good books to help you help little ones understand how mammals, including humans are born from eggs!)  So it is natural for eggs to be associated with life on Easter, the holiday that we celebrate new life in Christ's Resurrection.

This weekend, have some fun with your family.  Color and decorate Easter eggs.  Have an Easter egg hunt.  For more Easter crafts and games, visit http://www.familyeducation.com/search/results/?keywords=easter

For more information about the history of Easter traditions, visit these websites:  http://holidays.net/easter/ or http://www.easterbunnys.net/traditions.htm or http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05224d.htm

 

Lord's Day Faith Chat - Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - April 5, 2009

Our celebration on Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion begins the most important event of our Christian faith.  Jesus' Passion, death, and Resurrection is even bigger than Christmas!  It is the foundation of our faith in Christ Jesus:  God who became human, who suffered and died, then resurrected so that humans could know God more intimately and forever live in God's presence.

Later this week, we will participate in the liturgy of the Triduum:  The Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, the Good Friday Passion and Veneration of the Cross, and the Easter Vigil, the ultimate celebration of Christ's passing through death into new life.

Where will your family be during this sacred celebration of our faith?

Faith Chat Question:  What will you do this week to recognize and participate in these holy days?

Faith Response:  As you place your palms in a prominent location in your home, near a crucifix, cross, or Bible, say/sing:  Hosanna in the highest!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!  Let the palm branches remind you of Jesus' sacrifice of love throughout the year.

Prayer:  Savior Jesus, help us to celebrate these holy days with genuine love and worship you with our words and actions.  Amen.