Happy Easter from Grotto

Happy Easter from our Grotto team! 

We began a 40-day Lenten journey toward Easter way back on Feb. 26, which feels like a lifetime ago. In many ways, this coronavirus pandemic has overshadowed our Lent — or deepened it in a strange way. We’ve all had to give up things we hold dear in the past month. 

We’re not out of the woods yet, but spring is arriving and we’re starting to glimpse a future where social distancing and sheltering-in-place is not the norm. Those are hopeful signs for the return of new life.

And that’s the whole point of Easter. It’s the high point in the year for those of us with faith because it’s the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. That event changed everything — it opens a way through death and meaninglessness for us, which gives us hope. 

The resurrection happened in a cold tomb on an early morning some 2,000 years ago, but that doesn’t mean that it’s over. We get the chance to participate in the resurrection every day. Whenever we love in a self-sacrificing way, whenever we empty ourselves to put others first, whenever we make a gift of our time and energy for others, we experience a taste of this new life in the renewed energy and purpose we feel. 

So even while we are still practicing social distance and caution, let this be an opportunity to feast — to drink deeply of this hope and joy that God gives us so freely.