Considering the Lilies

The excitement around the monastery is building as the 50^th Jubilee approaches! With preparations accelerating for the anniversary Mass and the arrival of our fellow PCPAs from across the USA (and even France!), we thought we'd take a breather and “consider the [Easter] lilies.”

Before this glorious Easter Season concludes it would be very advantageous for us to consider a few of the prominent themes so beautifully weaved throughout the daily liturgy, specifically from the Church's Easter Prefaces. Lines like: “Overcome with Paschal joy” and, “[A] universe cast down is renewed, and integrity of life is restored to us in Christ” - call us to believe with greater pitch in God's plan of salvation for each of us. What this 'new life' means, what it demands, and what it promises, the Liturgy provides us with answers – everyday. It's neat – more than neat, it's incredibly awesome to awake to God's Word & Sacrament, which summon us to a higher, greater life in Him. But this life doesn't negate our personalities or suppress our desires but fulfills us to the brim by bringing us into contact with Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, Who “never ceases to offer Himself for us”. There is a reason why the Easter Season is longer than Lent, if only to remind us that eternal gladness awaits us because “the True Lamb Who has taken away the sins of the world; by dying He has destroyed our death, and by rising , restored our life.” Christ gives us new life. The Easter readings, prayers and songs, uncover God's wondrous plan, a plan that cost our Redeemer everything. In response let us sing louder a new alleluia in praise... and be aware of His words.