Celebrations

The disciples asked Jesus, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” (Matt. 26:17).

            When I was younger, I used to look forward to Easter. One of the things I enjoyed most about it was all the preparations we made before the big day arrived. There were decorations to put up, special foods to buy and prepare and putting all the candies in the Easter Basket. It goes without saying, this Easter will be different. I am sure it will also be true for our Jewish friends celebrating Passover. There will likely be fewer decorations, more modest meals and less candy in Easter baskets in most homes. Besides, there seems little enthusiasm to celebrate in the middle of a pandemic which is causing so much suffering and death.

            In this text from Matthew, Christ tells his disciples to go into Jerusalem in order to make preparations for a Passover Meal. By doing so, he sets in motion the events leading up to the Last Supper.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament, Passover was the most significant religious celebration of the year for Jews. For a people whose land was occupied by the Romans, the story of God liberating them from slavery in Egypt would have provided them with some hope about their future. The celebration included food and wine as well as the shared company of family and friends. Christ’s disciples would probably have looked forward to Passover that year because it would be celebrated in Jerusalem; the center of Jewish religious life. However, they likely never imagined the importance of the events which were about to occur. First, Jesus would transform the Passover Meal into the Last Supper with the institution of the Eucharist. Next, he would be betrayed by one disciple, denied by another, arrested, condemned to death by Jewish and Roman officials on false charges, beaten, nailed to a cross, ridiculed as he suffered and executed like a common criminal. Finally, after three days, he would rise from the dead and appear to several of his disciples. For Christ’s followers, these events gave the celebrations which happened around the time of Passover a whole new meaning and revealed the essential truths of their new faith.

            During this Covid 19 Pandemic, our “bare bones” Easter celebrations might be a blessing in disguise. This year we might be less distracted by all the “extras” associated with this season which, although nice, are not necessary. A simpler celebration might give us the chance to better appreciate the gift of the Eucharist (Christ’s Body and Blood) which we could receive every day before the pandemic struck and will do so after it ends. It would provide us with the opportunity to meditate more deeply on the events associated with Christ’s suffering and death recalled when we could celebrate the Stations of the Cross. In addition, it would also give us the chance to think more sincerely about the hope and joy which accompanies the promise of Eternal Life which the risen Jesus shared with his disciples, recounted when we could celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass.

            Catholics and other people of faith understand how the busyness of life can distract them from seeing what is really important. Our focus should be on what God has done for us and how we can share with others the good news of the hope and joy which Easter represents. The ability to separate the essential from the trivial (in a world which frequently cannot do so) provides us with the wisdom and strength to respond to the struggles we will face in the coming weeks and months of this pandemic. It also helps us recognize those who are struggling with hopelessness and despair at this time and support them.

            Next year, our Easter celebrations will hopefully feature nicer decorations, better meals and more candy. But, if we utilize this year’s Easter wisely, we can make that celebration more meaningful because we will have a clearer understanding of what we are doing.

April 8, 2020