The greatest story ever told in humankind is replicated today during Easter Sunday rites. Considered as one of the most festive events among Christians worldwide, it is the commemoration of Jesus Christ's resurrection. Christians believe that Jesus came back to life, three days after his death on the cross, as the Scripture said "from that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things ... and be killed, and be raised again the third day." (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31). Easter Sunday is known to be the well-attended Sunday service of the year which only proves that the Easter story is at the heart of Christianity. The Christians worldwide demonstrate their devotions and affection to the Lord Jesus Christ through the portrayal of Jesus' sufferings, crucifixion and His resurrection. This day is greeted with mirth and merriment befitting the culmination of the promise of salvation of the humankind.
Here at the St. Joseph Cathedral Church, the Diocese of Tagbilaran religiously observes the Lenten Season with various activities prepared by Catholic devotees. It was only the other day that Boholanos went to church to lament for the death of Christ only to welcome what they commonly called “sugat sa pagkabanhaw” or “resurrection”. This is where the black veil worn by the mourning mother or Mother Dolorosa is taken off which to the Catholic Church implies that Christ has already risen. A Holy Mass will follow after the “sugat” which will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Leonardo Y. Medroso, D.D., of the diocese of Tagbilaran. The Easter rites in this city that usher the celebration of the risen Christ is duplicated in all Catholic churches throughout the province and the entire Christian world.
WHAT'S EASTER SUNDAY?
There is a lot of confusion regarding what Easter Sunday is all about. For some, Easter Sunday is about the Easter Bunny, colorfully decorated Easter eggs, and Easter egg hunts. Most people understand that Easter Sunday has something to do with the resurrection of Jesus, but are confused as to how the resurrection is related to the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny. Biblically speaking, there is absolutely no connection between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the common modern traditions related to Easter Sunday. As a background, please read our article on the origins of Easter . Essentially, what occurred is that in order to make Christianity more attractive to non-Christians, the ancient Roman Catholic Church mixed the celebration of Jesus' resurrection with celebrations that involved spring fertility rituals. These spring fertility rituals are the source of the egg and bunny traditions.
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, Sunday ( Matthew 28:1 ; Mark 16:2 , 9 ; Luke 24:1 ; John 20:1 , 19 ). Jesus' resurrection is most worthy of being celebrated (see 1 Corinthians 15). While it is appropriate for Jesus' resurrection to be celebrated on a Sunday, the day on which Jesus' resurrection is celebrated should not be referred to as Easter. Easter has nothing to do with Jesus' resurrection on a Sunday.
As a result, many Christians feel strongly that the day on which we celebrate Jesus' resurrection should not be referred to as "Easter Sunday." Rather, something like "Resurrection Sunday" would be far more appropriate and biblical. For the Christian, it is unthinkable that we would allow the silliness of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny to be the focus of the day instead of Jesus' resurrection.
By all means, celebrate Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christ's resurrection is something that should be celebrated every day, not just once a year. At the same time, if we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the fun and games to distract our attention from what the day should truly be all about—the fact that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that His resurrection demonstrates that we can indeed be promised an eternal home in Heaven by receiving Jesus as our Savior. |
