If you are observing the Easter holiday today, please accept best wishes from all of us at the Northwest Progressive Institute.
Easter is the most significant holy day for Christianity’s many denominations, although not all of them are celebrating it today. Passages like the following excerpt from the Gospel of Matthew (28:1–10) are commonly read during Easter services and liturgies as part of Christian communities’ observance of the holiday, as they are considered authoritative accounts of the Easter story by Christians.
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake;
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven,
approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
His appearance was like lightning
and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him
and became like dead men.
Then the angel said to the women in reply,
“Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples,
‘He has been raised from the dead,
and he is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him.’
Behold, I have told you.”
Then they went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce this to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”
Readers interested in Resurrection-themed reflections may want to read this year’s Easter homily from Michael G. Ryan. Father Ryan has been the pastor of St. James (the Cathedral Church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle) since 1988, and has publicly championed many progressive causes from the pulpit, including climate action, immigration reform, and gun responsibility. Every year, he posts his Easter homily for the enjoyment of people around the world.
Easter reads:
- On Easter, chic in everything but black (The New York Times)
- Sunday hats: special beyond Easter (The Seattle Times)
- Amid reminders of bloodshed and oppression across the Middle East, beleaguered Christians celebrate Easter (Los Angeles Times)
- Cardinal Cupich gives Easter blessing to families victimized by violence (Chicago Tribune)
- Pope delivers his Urbi et Orbi message (Vatican News)
Again, Happy Easter!
Spring is in full swing, indeed! Blessings to all.