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Stratham Community Church, 6 Emery Lane, PO Box 143, Stratham, NH 03885 |
Lent begins when the earth is dormant, chill and we celebrate the blazing light of Easter just as the spring returns and the world begins to bloom. Although, this year there will be no blooming. Easter is very early. Why? Easter is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs after the vernal equinox, the first day of spring. This full moon is not the astronomical full moon but an ecclesiastical moon that keeps in step with the astronomical moon. The ecclesiastical rules are: Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or after the day of the vernal equinox; this particular ecclesiastical full moon is the 14th day of a tabular lunation (new moon); and the vernal equinox is fixed as March 21. Therefore, Easter can never occur before March 22 or later than April 25. The Gregorian dates for the ecclesiastical full moon come from the Gregorian tables established in 1582 by Pope Gregory the VIII. As the Church celebrates the liturgical seasons of Lent and Easter, we sense a certain tension in the sometimes suddenly changing lights, the brights and the darks a tension or pulling within, not only between the seasons, but also between our hope in the resurrection promises, and the intensified consciousness of that |
which is within us, that corrodes and clouds this radiant vision. This anticipation within dread, rejoicing within mourning; this paradox of human existence is dramatically portrayed in the liturgy of the Church during this season. For here we relive the ultimate paradox, the utmost Mystery: that out of death comes life. This is the light which reveals darkness, as dark clouds are burned away by the sun. It is the season when each of us must look into the mirror. During Lent and Easter, Christians retreat together as one family in Christ, that we may all be inspired for our mission to bring Christ to the world. But, we cannot become fruitful missionaries unless we are filled with the spirit of Christ. We cannot carry his life giving message to our families and to the world unless we comprehend it ourselves. We cannot bring the revealing light into the darkness of the world unless this light blazes within our own hearts.
May we be so ignited with that light, as we anticipate standing together in the empty tomb.
Happy Easter
Blessings, David
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Pastoral Letter Lent is a Season of Contrasts |
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