40 days of Lent gives way to 50 days of Easter.
Christians make so much of the season of Lent – giving up things, fasting, praying, Lent books, extra worship, and other worthy things – some of them good, some of them pretty heavy going. By the time Lent is over church people and clergy can be rather worn out, not least by the liturgies of the Great Three Days ending Holy Week.
BUT Lent is a season of 40 days to get ready for Easter, and Easter is a season of joy and celebration and it’s 50 days. (Easter Day to Pentecost Sunday). So let’s live out the Easter Season. Let’s not spend more time on preparing for the feast than for enjoying it.
Easter overflows from church buildings. It’s much much more than lillies and singing Alleluias. As Easter People we will want to live out our Easter faith and enjoy the glory of Easter in creation and delight in broadening out our limited horizons. We want to live in the beauty, joy and light of Easter and, of course we wish to share the light. Easter Season is a time of rejoicing, exultation and extravagance.
Campaign for a Real Eastertide!
Now I’m retired I have even more opportunities to broaden horizons in the Easter season, and several friends have made suggestions (some wonderful, some more appropriate for Lent!) I am, for example, going to the local amateur football team’s final home match (I’ve never ‘willingly’ attended a football match before!). I’m going looking for Spring Gentians in Teesdale, going to a one off art class … and lots more. I’m reporting them in my Facebook feed to keep me on track.
An invitation: Take up the Easter challenge
Have you suggestions for yourself, or others, to ‘try something different’? Small things, or big things. 50 things, or fewer, or more. We can enrich our experiences, and bring hope, life and joy to others. It would be lovely to read your suggestions in the comments below.
Meanwhile, click here for a suggested list I compiled when a parish priest several years ago.
Do join me in campaigning for a Real Eastertide Your involvement will make a difference to you and others!
A Retired Rector's Reflections 
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