Why is Easter so important?

In my spiritual travels as a priest and in everyday encounters with numerous people, I am often asked, in good faith, “How do you know there is life after death?” This question is often followed by the statement, from the same person, of – “None of my departed friends have come back and told me, so how can I know?” Well, that is why Easter is so important.

Christmas tells us how Mary conceived the son of God in her womb, thereby giving life to Jesus, and we begin to see the wonder and beauty and importance in the development of a child, each and every child made in the image and likeness of God.

Through Good Friday and Easter, Jesus shows us that after you have lived your time, a short time in the womb of your mother, a few years into childhood or on to an old age, you have to die if you are going to the next stage of your life into heaven.

Jesus dies on the cross, is buried in the tomb, leaves the sepulchre and approaches Mary, who upon recognizing him wants to hug him, but no, says Jesus, for he has to go to his Father and open the gates of heaven so we can follow him upon the moment of our own death.

To get to heaven, to be with the Trinity, with Mary and Joseph and your own family, you have to first of all live out your life in time, and then leave Earth, dying to everyday activities and move on to eternal life and a new love experience.

It is as simple as that. In the death of Good Friday and the Resurrection of Easter Sunday, through which Jesus returned to the Father, we are told that not only is there a heaven, but that we too will follow in Christ’s footsteps into heaven and eternity, if we so wish.

From the womb, to childhood, adolescence, adulthood and yes, on to death and on to eternity to join family in heaven.

Jesus said to his disciples (and to each of us), “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house (heaven) there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself so that where I am (n heaven), there you may also be.”

After all is said and done life is worth living for it invites and leads us to be with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in life eternal, in a word – the beauty of heaven.

Remember, the family that prays together, stays together. Amen.

- Father Alan Cox

Laval

Photo: NO534400-30-0 (Metro 2005, p. 30)