Dear Church Family,
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Season of Lent and is 40 days before Easter. So, why are these dates different every year? The simple standard definition of Easter is that it is the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox and then we back up 40 days to get Ash Wednesday. Early Christians wanted Easter to coincide with Passover, because Christ’s death and resurrection happened after the Jewish holiday. Because the Jewish calendar is tied to solar and lunar cycles, the dates of Passover and Easter fluctuate each year. The holiday, which celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the grave following his crucifixion, can occur any Sunday between March 22 and April 25.
That can feel rather complicated and rather non-religious, but as you know it gets worse. If you’ve been into any Walgreens or CVS I’m sure you’ve seen the Easter candy and chocolate bunnies. What’s that about?
All this to say, we struggle to keep the meaning in Easter. This is our high and holy day and as we prepare over the next several weeks we will be focusing on Jesus’ mission: to save us from our sins.
Our passage this week is John 11:1-37, the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. The weeks prior to Easter will be times of focus on Jesus’ last days. Come prepared to gain new understanding in what it means that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
God Bless,
Allen
