Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Care for your spiritual aspect

As human beings, we possess many facets.  I often talk about the physical and emotional aspects and how we can better care for ourselves.  This Easter season many people will care for their spiritual dimension by stopping to rest and reflect.  Please join me as I consider the Easter season.  “Easter, which celebrates Jesus Christ resurrection from the dead, is Christianity’s most important holiday.  Easter is celebrated around the world." History.com, Easter, http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-easter...
The Easter season begins the day after Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and lasts 40 days.  This 40 day period is called Lent.  Lent reflects the 40 days of temptation Jesus spent in the wilderness before he began his ministry.  For Christians, Lent should be a period of thoughtfulness and asking forgiveness for wrongdoings.  The Easter Season can occur between March 22 and April 25.  When is Easter celebrated? The vernal equinox, March 21, also known as ‘the first day of spring,’ marks the day when the center of the sun crosses the equator.  Easter is the first Sunday following the full moon after the ‘first day of spring’ (vernal equinox).
We entered Holy Week (Easter week) this Sunday, April 1.  The week of Easter (called Holy Week) has significant days:  Passover Sunday begins Holy Week.  Passover is an important Jewish holiday; they remember the historic exodus of Israelites’ when Moses led them out of slavery in Egypt. The significance of Passover continues with Jesus’ triumphant ride into Jerusalem on a humble donkey to celebrate the Passover.  The people cheered for Jesus, they laid their coats and palm branches on the ground for the donkey to walk on.  The crowds cheered, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  God bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord!  Praise to God in heaven!”  Matthew 21:9 The Inspirational Study Bible, (Dallas: Word Publishing,1995),1117
Maundy Thursday remembers the Lord’s Supper (his last meal with his disciples).  Good Friday refers to Jesus crucifixion on a cross.  Holy Saturday is the day between Jesus’ Crucifixion and his resurrection.  Easter Sunday (called Eastertide) remembers Jesus rising from the grave.

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