4/20/2014
Fishing With St. James
Celebrating the Resurrection with St. James Community
In the Year Of Our Lord 2014
Today we complete our “Triduum” the annual retreat where we are immersed
into a communal participation in Christ's Paschal Mystery. By embracing
this journey into death and resurrection we are continually called into
conversion.
We are challenged to gracious hospitality and a genuine
desire to share the community’s joy with everyone who joins us at worship.
“Come you all: Enter into the joy of our
Lord. You the first and you the last, receive alike your reward. You
rich and you poor, dance together. You strong and you weak, celebrate the
day. You who have kept the fast and you who have not kept the fast,
rejoice today.” (St. John Chrysostom)
The first eight days of the Easter Season are known as
the “Octave of Easter.” The mystery of the Resurrection is intensely
celebrated and people give witness that Christ is Risen, Christ is Risen
Indeed! The fifty days, a week of weeks (seven weeks plus one day),
include the celebration of Ascension Thursday, forty days after Easter.
The Season reaches fulfillment on Pentecost Sunday, when we remember the coming
of the Holy Spirit on the first disciples. This same Holy Spirit comes to
today’s disciples bringing peace and hope to our hearts and through us to the
whole world.
The following phrase
from an ancient Greek hymn celebrating the Pasch (Easter/Passover) is my prayer
for all:
“O pasch, sanctify all believers,” Fr. Joe
Hannappel
