The world below lies desolate
Chris is Risen:
The spirits of evil are fallen
Christ is Risen
The angels of God are rejoicing
Christ is Risen:
The tombs of the dead are empty
Christ is Risen indeed from the dead,
the first of the sleepers,
Glory and power are his forever and ever.
- St. Hippolytus of Rome (died about 236 A.D.)
The Easter season is the Church's most ancient and beautiful season. For the next 50 days the Gospel readings will tell of the finding of the empty tomb ... the rise Christ meeting the disciples in the locked room ... and at the Sea of Galilee.
There are many benefits from fasting, and they are not to be minimized. But his is the main reason, the traditional wisdom, and ultimately the reason why to fast: To see some things you've overlooked, and some things you'd like to change or improve before you die.
Fasting helps you get down to the things you really want to think about, but are afraid to ... the things you really want to talk to God about, but keep putting off. When you die and go to God, you don't want to have to talk some things over then for the first time.
The "feast" of Easter and the renewal of your baptismal commitment becomes more powerful and joyful because of your Lenten fasting.
- Bishop Ken Untener who died on this day in 20014
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw