The Healing Power of Easter

Journey with me as we uncover the transformative teachings of Easter; how they can illuminate our paths and provide solace, casting a new light on our everyday struggles. Discover the boundless love that transcends the veil of mortality, and how it can lead us to a horizon brimming with hope, grace, and divine Love.

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You can reach us at: ccoutreach@dsj.org
To arrange personal spiritual direction:  408-359-5542


Our theme music is:  Gentle Breeze by Yeti Music from the album "Uppbeat".
Additional Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Transcript

Candee: 0:35

Welcome to this week's episode of Solace: Soul + Grief. I'm Candee Lucas. We're glad you're here. This podcast is sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries and the Diocese of San Jose. The death of a loved one is a very difficult life transition and we hope we can answer some of your questions, help you find where God is moving in your life as you continue your grief journey, and remind you of the power of your faith and love for God. You're always welcome in our circle of healing, love and care.

Candee: 1:34

I am moved to remember the words of the Persian poet Rumi, a desert father in the best tradition, who in the 13th century wrote--- "Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes, because for those who love with heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation. For are we not called to bask in the love of Jesus reflected by his resurrection, asked to love with our hearts and souls, clearly not just with our eyes? Each day during the season, we can remember, in mass or in private or in common prayer, what this gift of uncompromising, radical love means to each of us in our daily lives. Remember Romans 8.35,. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? A very rhetorical question. We can start each day with a renewed and grateful heart. We can start each day with an affirmative yes to God.

Candee: 2:55

Shortly after I was moved to my own conversion moment and became Catholic, I was immediately drawn to the Lenten season. I viewed Ash Wednesday as a communal call to pause and note in the middle of our daily lives, his call and his response and his sacrifice. I proudly wore that first Ashen Cross on my forehead and spent the next 40 days steeling myself for what was to come. Each year I now give up my hair so that when I touch my head every day I can remind myself after all, he is in the desert suffering for you and for us all. Because we all know the story and how it ends, I think many may not take the time to savor the journey and the burnishing that comes with being in the desert with the living Jesus.

Candee: 3:57

Those 40 days it is all in preparing us for a new moment with Him after His resurrection. It is in those days of Easter, after the resurrection, that his love shines so brightly and new to us. Imagine a new day with him, new hope, new love and new grace. This is the gift that Easter will bring to each of us the possibility of a renewed life and love and hope in him and with him. This is not to say that our worldly duties and chores are forgotten or even lessened, but somehow we can move through our days easier and lighter, with a reminder of the taste of his new love still in our tongues. We remember what it is to be held in the arms of one who only knows boundless love for us. We are comforted in our silent moments and rejoice in his love in our public selves. For our secret is that Eastertide will remind us how truly loved we are, how we are never separated from him, and that love, Not even for an instant, not in our wearying or worrying, not in our coming and our going. Not at all.

Candee: 5:47

That concludes another episode of Solace. A new one drops every Friday. Please subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or find us on Google. I'm Candee Lucas, your host, Aftercare Coordinator, chaplain and Spiritual Director at Catholic Cemeteries at Gate of Heaven in Los Altos, California. Please contact us if you have questions or seek spiritual direction. Our contact information is in the show notes. Be gentle with yourselves. Travel with God. Vaya con Dios.