WHY might you celebrate Easter? Why might you go to a church this Sunday?
Christmas is more popular than Easter. It has all the ingredients of a midwinter feast, centred on the birth of a baby. But who did this baby grow up to be?
The first Easter was not dramatic. No one saw Christ rise from the dead. Even his followers spent time sifting the evidence, working out why his tomb was empty. A short while later they were amazed when Christ appeared to them.
This experience sustained their faith into the future. We can share it, but must make it our own.
If you entered a church on Easter Sunday, what evidence would you find that people there believed in the Risen Christ? You might have to do some detective work to understand the significance of candles, alleluias and gold vestments.
More importantly, I hope you would encounter a people who knew Jesus Christ, not from history but from their personal experience of meeting him daily in prayer, on the road of life and in the Eucharist.
If Christ had not risen from the dead, there would be no Easter; our churches would be empty rather than full. However, I am sure there will-be a seat for you this Easter – and you will be most welcome!
