Keeping Easter at Work
Last time we talked about how important it is to keep Easter at work during the Octave of Easter. The Octave of Easter has passed, but the importance of keeping that Easter spirit hasn't.
It's strange, but I think true, that we Catholics are better at Lent than we are at Easter. For example, even people I know who no longer really observe their faith very well will give something up for Lent. A good friend of mine who doesn't go to Sunday Mass and Lord knows how long it's been since he was to confession gave up desserts throughout Lent - and, being a real gourmand, this was a serious sacrifice!
Yet now that Easter Sunday has passed, and that first glorious week of solemnities we call the Easter Octave has passed, it's easy for the Easter spirit to fade away too, especially during our work days when the busyness of our occupations takes center stage during much of our waking hours.
But we Catholics musn't let this happen!
Think about this: Lent lasts for six weeks; the Easter Season lasts for eight weeks. Could Holy Mother Church be any clearer about Her emphasis on Easter?
Or think about this: In the liturgy, the Church constantly associate the sufferings and death of Christ with His Resurrection. And the mind and spirit of Holy Mother Church is made clear, clearest you might say, in Her liturgy, the Mass.
The sufferings and death of Our Lord without the Resurrection make no sense. Indeed, St Paul says "if Christ is not risen, vain is your faith, for you are still in your sins."
So while it was wonderful that you may have brought a special attitude of mortification and sacrifice to your Lenten observations, it's just as important that you balance that with a special spirit of celebration and joy throughout the Easter Season.
For example, I'm definitely not one of those "power of positive thinking" sorts. If anything I have to guard against seeing the glass half empty much of the time. But if I let the glorious light of the Resurrection shine through my mental shutters, it becomes clear to me that God's creation is indeed wonderful, life is beautiful and my work is a gift that God has given me in this wonderful world and this beautiful life.
Yes, work is a gift from God. It's not a punishment. Even when we suffer in various degrees at the strenuousness of our work, from having to get along with difficult people, from disappointments in the progress of our careers, from the stresses and strains caused by not earning enough money to take care of our families, or the multitude of other aspects of daily work that sometimes lead to discouragement at times, the fact remains that it is a gift given to us, not a punishment doled out for our sins.
Work is where we can most fully develop our skills and talents for the glory of God. And if - right at this moment - work oppresses you in some way, then it's really important that you open those shutters and let Christ's light in. Now is the time to concentrate your energy on what is good about your work. And if you really can't salvage a stick of goodness from your current situation, now is the time to pray and pray harder that God help you find work that allows you to focus on His glory rather than your own misery.
Working for the greater glory of God - an ideal many of us strive for each day - becomes clear in the brilliant light of the Resurrection. At least it will if you pray and work in the spirit of Easter.
So during these eight weeks of the glorious Easter Season don't forget for a single moment:
It's strange, but I think true, that we Catholics are better at Lent than we are at Easter. For example, even people I know who no longer really observe their faith very well will give something up for Lent. A good friend of mine who doesn't go to Sunday Mass and Lord knows how long it's been since he was to confession gave up desserts throughout Lent - and, being a real gourmand, this was a serious sacrifice!
Yet now that Easter Sunday has passed, and that first glorious week of solemnities we call the Easter Octave has passed, it's easy for the Easter spirit to fade away too, especially during our work days when the busyness of our occupations takes center stage during much of our waking hours.
But we Catholics musn't let this happen!
Think about this: Lent lasts for six weeks; the Easter Season lasts for eight weeks. Could Holy Mother Church be any clearer about Her emphasis on Easter?
Or think about this: In the liturgy, the Church constantly associate the sufferings and death of Christ with His Resurrection. And the mind and spirit of Holy Mother Church is made clear, clearest you might say, in Her liturgy, the Mass.
The sufferings and death of Our Lord without the Resurrection make no sense. Indeed, St Paul says "if Christ is not risen, vain is your faith, for you are still in your sins."
So while it was wonderful that you may have brought a special attitude of mortification and sacrifice to your Lenten observations, it's just as important that you balance that with a special spirit of celebration and joy throughout the Easter Season.
For example, I'm definitely not one of those "power of positive thinking" sorts. If anything I have to guard against seeing the glass half empty much of the time. But if I let the glorious light of the Resurrection shine through my mental shutters, it becomes clear to me that God's creation is indeed wonderful, life is beautiful and my work is a gift that God has given me in this wonderful world and this beautiful life.
Yes, work is a gift from God. It's not a punishment. Even when we suffer in various degrees at the strenuousness of our work, from having to get along with difficult people, from disappointments in the progress of our careers, from the stresses and strains caused by not earning enough money to take care of our families, or the multitude of other aspects of daily work that sometimes lead to discouragement at times, the fact remains that it is a gift given to us, not a punishment doled out for our sins.
Work is where we can most fully develop our skills and talents for the glory of God. And if - right at this moment - work oppresses you in some way, then it's really important that you open those shutters and let Christ's light in. Now is the time to concentrate your energy on what is good about your work. And if you really can't salvage a stick of goodness from your current situation, now is the time to pray and pray harder that God help you find work that allows you to focus on His glory rather than your own misery.
Working for the greater glory of God - an ideal many of us strive for each day - becomes clear in the brilliant light of the Resurrection. At least it will if you pray and work in the spirit of Easter.
So during these eight weeks of the glorious Easter Season don't forget for a single moment:
Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen!
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