It is definitely spring around our house today. The birds are out in force making a joyful noise, and Mrs. Evadne Cake (our pet cat) is sunning herself on a garden bench. It feels as if everyone is waking up. Even people around the city centre seem more cheerful and relaxed. Families are off on the Easter break, and there are three bank holiday weekends coming up in the next five weeks. It finally feels as though the long winter is behind us.
Spring is one of my favourite times of year, and I think the coincidence of Spring with Easter is a glorious one. Whilst the date of Christmas was set to bring it alongside an existing festival in the Roman world and to help Christianity to be an integral part of the Empire, Easter is a movable feast whose date is set according to John's Gospel account of the crucifixion which times it to coincide with Passover. (The feast of Passover this year begins at sunset on Monday (10th) and ends on Easter Sunday.)
At Passover, Jewish people around the world remember their liberation by God from the slavery in which they were held by the Egyptian rulers. It was this festival that Jesus was celebrating when he entered Jerusalem, and for which he held a celebratory dinner with his closest friends and disciples on the night before he was betrayed. The Eucharist seems to be based to some extent on the Seder meal at the heart of the Passover celebrarions.
As we gather for the feast of our redemption, we are in solidarity with the Jewish communities celebrating Passover and we remember together that it is God who sets God's people free.
Blessings
Kate
Spring is one of my favourite times of year, and I think the coincidence of Spring with Easter is a glorious one. Whilst the date of Christmas was set to bring it alongside an existing festival in the Roman world and to help Christianity to be an integral part of the Empire, Easter is a movable feast whose date is set according to John's Gospel account of the crucifixion which times it to coincide with Passover. (The feast of Passover this year begins at sunset on Monday (10th) and ends on Easter Sunday.)
At Passover, Jewish people around the world remember their liberation by God from the slavery in which they were held by the Egyptian rulers. It was this festival that Jesus was celebrating when he entered Jerusalem, and for which he held a celebratory dinner with his closest friends and disciples on the night before he was betrayed. The Eucharist seems to be based to some extent on the Seder meal at the heart of the Passover celebrarions.
As we gather for the feast of our redemption, we are in solidarity with the Jewish communities celebrating Passover and we remember together that it is God who sets God's people free.
Blessings
Kate
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