Luke 24, “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. [a] 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women [b] were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men [c] said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.”

It is hard to believe that the Lenten season is coming to a close. For those of us who observe Lent, this Sunday is the fifth Sunday in Lent, and we are only a week from holy week. Our thoughts have secularly turned to all the activities of springtime which is officially with us, but our faith journey takes us to one of the high points of the Christian year when we say He is Risen, He is Risen indeed, on Easter morning.

Just as Lent has been a season to prepare ourselves for the day of the resurrection, we soon approach that season during which we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. For those of us who utilize the liturgical calendar, Easter morning is not just a day but the beginning of a season which begins with Sunday, April 17, and continues until Sunday, June 5, which is the day of Pentecost. Having had the opportunity to write these devotionals for most of Lent, I would encourage all of us to begin thinking about Easter as a season.

As this addition of the paper is published on Thursday, we have one Lenten luncheon left. It will be sponsored by the Roman Catholic community, and the luncheon will be held at 11:45 a.m. at the Saint Agnes campus on Tuesday, March 29. These have been great services as our churches have come together for the season.

Please take this next opportunity to celebrate Holy Week, Easter Day, and the Sundays that follow as the season of Easter. There are many serious issues going on in the world during this time. As we address them and seek to cope, please join me and all Christians in preparing to say He is Risen, He is Risen indeed, on Easter morning, and then living as the Easter people.