Last Sunday at 2:48 pm Eastern Daylight Time was the Paschal Full Moon. It was broad daylight, and you might have missed it … but once the sun set, the Full Moon was pretty obvious.
The Paschal Full Moon is the first full moon on or after the Vernal Equinox – which falls on March 21. Since last Sunday was March 28, that made its full moon the Paschal Full Moon.
Easter is the Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon. It can be as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.
If you ever notice on some calendars it will also list “Orthodox” or “Julian” Easter as being later than when we celebrate Easter … that’s because the Julian Calendar is about two weeks behind.
So, according to the Julian Calendar, today is March 22, and so last week’s moon doesn’t cut it. That means that Julian Easter won’t be until the Sunday after the full moon that occurs after yesterday, and that full moon is on April 26, which is a Monday, making Julian (or Orthodox) Easter on May 2.
Nonetheless …
Today is Easter Sunday.
Christ is risen! Alleluia! He has risen as He said! Alleluia!
This morning we heard from the beginning of the 20th Chapter of St. John’s Gospel.
In today’s Gospel we hear that St. John, on arriving at the tomb first “saw” the burial cloths; and then St. Peter, when he showed up – in second place – went into the tomb and “saw” the burial cloths; and finally, that when St. John went into the tomb and also “saw” … and believed.
Awkwardly, three very different words in Greek are all translated into English as “saw,” providing us with a rather flat reading of a very dynamic story.
Fleshing out the meaning of these distinct words in Greek, it might be more proper to say that when St. John first arrived at the tomb, he “looked” (in the Greek “βλέπει”) into the tomb at the burial cloths. St. Peter, came in behind John, and entering the tomb he “examined” (in the Greek “θεωρεῖ”) the burial cloths. Finally, St. John enters in behind Peter, and “perceived” (in the Greek “εἶδεν”) the burial cloths.
Three different words, the first meaning to “look,” the second meaning to “examine,” and the third meaning to “perceive.” All, sadly, translated as “saw.”
And so, for better or for worse, we are here, this morning, in this particular church, to celebrate Easter.
How deeply are you participating in the liturgical action being played out in today’s Mass?
Are you “looking?” Sort of just hanging around, taking it all in.
Are you “examining?” Not just looking, but scrutinizing the details – the smells, the bells, the chanting, and the singing?
Or are you “perceiving?” Looking, examining, and understanding – not only with your mind, but with the eyes of Faith, the divine action and supernatural drama that is going on right here, right now?
Today’s Gospel reading begins with Mary Magdalene finding the empty tomb. During this week, we will hear of Jesus appearing to the ten disciples hiding in the upper room. And next Sunday, we will hear the story of Doubting Thomas.
Thomas moves from doubt to belief – by the supernatural virtue of Faith. The disciples move from fear to courage – by the supernatural virtue of Hope. And Mary moves from tears to joy – by the supernatural virtue of Love.
Faith, Hope, and Love are the Baptismal gifts we have all received. Faith, Hope, and Love are the Supernatural Virtues that make us Christian.
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, may the eyes of our hearts be opened to be moved from looking, to a deeper participation in the Holy Mysteries of this day.
May we be renewed in the Supernatural Virtues – the Baptismal gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love – as we recall our own Baptism, and this morning renew our Baptismal promises … remembering that if we have died with Christ in Baptism, then we shall live with Him – and ultimately we shall reign with Him in glory … for all eternity.
Happy and Blessed Easter!
