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 I had seen places where the term “Easter” was
connected with spring. Makes sense since at this time of the year,
new life is sprouting forth from the ground and people begin pulling
out their brighter, cheery clothing. But in doing a bit more
research I discovered that there are some which take this connection
to spring a step farther.
According to Bede, the word is derived from Ēastre, the name of a
goddess associated with spring.
I had never heard of this Bede person, so I did a little searching
into that too. Apparently he is a well-known scholar and author (I
must have missed that part of history class). He was also an English
monk at the monastery of St. Peter in the Kingdom of Northumbria. In
1899 Pope Leo XIII declared him a Doctor of the Church. So seemingly
he must have known what he was talking about.
The secular world (those outside of the church) may focus on the
connection of Easter to spring, but as Christians we know the
greater importance.
On that first Easter morning, the occasion wasn’t actually called
Easter. I imagine it probably wasn’t called much of anything. The
disciples and the women who went to the tomb were too overwhelmed
with what they found there (or didn’t find there) that they didn’t
worry about labeling the day.
The “churchy” term for Easter Sunday is “Resurrection of Our Lord”
and perhaps that better gets at what is going on.
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Soon we will celebrate this wonderful day once again.
One definition of Easter says that it is the oldest and most
important festival in the Christian Church. Other places say it is
one of two days a year when churches fill up. Both are true.
Easter certainly is one of the most important
festivals in our Christian history. Without it, there really
wouldn’t be much of a church today. Because Jesus rose from the
dead, we have a reason to gather together in worship and
celebration. Not just on the designated Easter Sunday or the 40 days
of Easter that will follow, but each and every week.
Like the ancient Israelites who were tasked with passing down their
faith and stories of their history from one generation to the next,
we too are responsible for making sure the joyous news of Christ’s
death and resurrection continues throughout ages to come.
As we take in the new life we see beginning in the world around us,
may we also remember the new life we receive in Christ our risen
Lord who dwells among us always. New life which gives us the
strength and courage to continue on where the early disciples left
off.
Blessings to you and your families in these final days of Lent, the
journey through Holy Week, and finally the great celebration of
Easter!
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