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8 things you need to know about Easter Sunday
JimmyAkin.com ^ | 2015 | Jimmy Akin

Posted on 05/19/2015 4:28:10 PM PDT by Salvation

8 things you need to know about Easter Sunday

by Jimmy Akin

Easter is the most important day of the Christian calendar, even more important than Christmas. Here are 9 things you need to know.

The great day is finally here: Easter, the most important day of the Christian calendar. More important even than Christmas.

What happened on this day?

Was Jesus’ resurrection a real, historical event?

How does the Church celebrate this day?

Is Easter a pagan holiday?

Here are 8 things you need to know.

 

1. What happened on Easter?

Among other things:

To read about the events in the New Testament, you can use these links:

 

2. Was Jesus’ Resurrection a real, historical event or something else?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains:

 639 The mystery of Christ’s resurrection is a real event, with manifestations that were historically verified, as the New Testament bears witness.

In about A.D. 56 St. Paul could already write to the Corinthians:

“I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. . .”

The Apostle speaks here of the living tradition of the Resurrection which he had learned after his conversion at the gates of Damascus.

 

3. What is the significance of the empty tomb?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains:

 640 . . . The first element we encounter in the framework of the Easter events is the empty tomb. In itself it is not a direct proof of Resurrection; the absence of Christ’s body from the tomb could be explained otherwise.

Nonetheless the empty tomb was still an essential sign for all. Its discovery by the disciples was the first step toward recognizing the very fact of the Resurrection.

This was the case, first with the holy women, and then with Peter.  The disciple “whom Jesus loved” affirmed that when he entered the empty tomb and discovered “the linen cloths lying there”, “he saw and believed”.

This suggests that he realized from the empty tomb’s condition that the absence of Jesus’ body could not have been of human doing and that Jesus had not simply returned to earthly life as had been the case with Lazarus.

 

4. What significance to the post-Resurrection appearances of Christ have?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains:

641 Mary Magdalene and the holy women who came to finish anointing the body of Jesus, which had been buried in haste because the Sabbath began on the evening of Good Friday, were the first to encounter the Risen One.

Thus the women were the first messengers of Christ’s Resurrection for the apostles themselves. . . .

642 Everything that happened during those Paschal days involves each of the apostles – and Peter in particular – in the building of the new era begun on Easter morning.

As witnesses of the Risen One, they remain the foundation stones of his Church. the faith of the first community of believers is based on the witness of concrete men known to the Christians and for the most part still living among them.

Peter and the Twelve are the primary “witnesses to his Resurrection”, but they are not the only ones – Paul speaks clearly of more than five hundred persons to whom Jesus appeared on a single occasion and also of James and of all the apostles.

643 Given all these testimonies, Christ’s Resurrection cannot be interpreted as something outside the physical order, and it is impossible not to acknowledge it as an historical fact.

 

5. What significance does Christ’s Resurrection have for us?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains:

651 “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”

The Resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ’s works and teachings.

All truths, even those most inaccessible to human reason, find their justification if Christ by his Resurrection has given the definitive proof of his divine authority, which he had promised.

 658 Christ, “the first-born from the dead” ( Col 1:18), is the principle of our own resurrection, even now by the justification of our souls (cf Rom 6:4), and one day by the new life he will impart to our bodies (cf Rom 8:11).

 

6. How do we commemorate this day?

The big celebration of Easter was on the evening of Holy Saturday. It was the Easter Vigil Mass. Consequently, Easter Sunday celebrations–at least as far as the Church is concerned (as opposed to all the egg hunts and baby ducks and marshmallow peeps)–is more restrained.

According to the main document governing the celebrations connected with Easter, Paschalis Solemnitatis:

97. Mass is to be celebrated on Easter Day with great solemnity.

It is appropriate that the penitential rite on this day take the form of a sprinkling with water blessed at the Vigil, during which the antiphon Vidi aquam, or some other song of baptismal character should be sung.

The fonts at the entrance to the church should also be filled with the same water.

 

7. What is the role of the “Paschal [i.e., Easter] candle”?

Paschales Solemnitatis explains:

99. The paschal candle has its proper place either by the ambo or by the altar and should be lit at least in all the more solemn liturgical celebrations of the season until Pentecost Sunday, whether at Mass, or at Morning and Evening Prayer.

After the Easter season the candle should be kept with honor in the baptistry, so that in the celebration of Baptism the candles of the baptized may be lit from them.

In the celebration of funerals, the paschal candle should be placed near the coffin to indicate that the death of a Christian is his own passover.

The paschal candle should not otherwise be lit nor placed in the sanctuary outside the Easter season.

 

8. Is Easter a pagan holiday?

Absolutely not!



TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; easter; jimmyakin; resurrection
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I know Eastertide is nearly over, but I came across this article, and it has some good information in it.
1 posted on 05/19/2015 4:28:10 PM PDT by Salvation
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To: All
Video
2 posted on 05/19/2015 4:28:59 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

The number one thing you need to know is that Jesus did not celebrate Easter.


3 posted on 05/19/2015 4:30:38 PM PDT by BipolarBob
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To: All
8 things you need to know about Easter Sunday
Friday Abstinence, the Octave of Easter and You (Catholic Caucus)
Pope Benedict: Encounter With Beauty
Happy Easter!
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
The Easter Sermon of John Chrysostom
Johnny Hart's last Easter Sunday B.C. comic strip
Hallelujah! Resurrection Morning!
Pope Benedict XVI Easter Vigil Homily-2012 [From "Theological Einstein" of Our Times]
“Pascha” – The Day of the Lord’s Resurrection

The Resurrection & The Eucharist
The Eucharist as the Body and Blood of Christ [No Resurrection Without The Eucharist]
Living the Lessons of Love – Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter
Are You Smarter than a Sheep? A Homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter
Emmaus: From Despair to Joy
Why Was the Resurrection Such a Hidden Event?
Mary Magdalene’s Journey out of Fear to Easter Faith
He is Risen!
Jesus is Real to Me – A Meditation on the Easter Gospel
The Earth’s Most Serious Wound
Regina Caeli: Ask Jesus what he wants from you (Catholic Caucus)
If Christ Has Not Been Raised (you don't want to miss this one!)
The Few Witnesses to the Resurrection
Iraq: Christians celebrate Easter behind high blast walls and tight security cordons
8 things you need to know about Easter
Pope: Urbi et Orbi Message, Easter, 2013 [Full text]
Pope Francis Leads First Easter Celebrations
Resurrection of the Body (Ecumenical)
April 11 Audience: On Easter's Spiritual Joy
When did the Resurrection become truly the Faith, and the official teaching of the Church?
What are they thinking? (The Easter and Christmas only Church-goers, that is!)

The Resurrection Appearances Chronologically Arranged
Are There Discrepancies in the Resurrection Accounts? If so, Can They be Resolved?
URBI ET ORBI MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI - EASTER 2012
Saint Gregory the Great’s Sermon on the Mystery of the Resurrection
Pope Benedict XVI warns of moral 'darkness' as he celebrates Easter Mass
Easter Changes Everything
New Catholics a sign of Easter blessing for church (in Oregon)
On Easter Joy -- General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI
The Christ of the Folded Napkin
Reflection on Hope and New Life After the Easter Feasts (Thomas Rosica, CSB)
Easter Time [Eastertide or Easter Season]
Risen Christ opens for a us a completely new future says the Pope at Easter Mass
Man Who "Died" 5 Times Is Becoming Catholic (Thousands to Enter Church at Easter)
On the Resurrection-Pope Benedict XVI
Octave of Easter, Pope Benedict XVI
The Double Alleluia
Easter Sunday
Eastertide Overview
Our 'Great Sunday' (Season of Easter) [Editorial Column]
Happy Easter: The Tomb is Empty! The Warrior of Love has conquered!

Homily Of His Holiness Benedict XVI (Holy Saturday Easter Vigil, Saint Peter's Basilica)
Pope to Baptize Prominent Muslim
Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)
The Exultet
The Dark before Dawn
Easter and the Holy Eucharist(Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil
Easter Day and Easter Season
THE EASTER LITURGY [Easter Vigil] (Anglican and Catholic Rites)
Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil
Poles visit symbolic Christ's Graves on Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil tonight
HOMILIES PREACHED BY FATHER ALTIER FOR EASTER VIGIL FROM 2002-2005
2 Paschal Candles; Lights On at Vigil And More on Washing of the Feet
RCIA and Holy Saturday
The Time Of Easter or Eastertide -- Easter Seasosn
Easter Day and Easter Season
Easter Reflections -- 50 Days of the Easter Season
The Blessed Season of Easter - Fifty Days of Reflections

4 posted on 05/19/2015 4:33:34 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: nickcarraway; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ArrogantBustard; Catholicguy; RobbyS; marshmallow; ...

Late Eastertide Ping!


5 posted on 05/19/2015 4:34:46 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: BipolarBob; All
The number one thing you need to know is that Jesus did not celebrate Easter.

Was Easter Borrowed from a Pagan Holiday? The historical evidence contradicts this popular notion.

6 posted on 05/19/2015 4:37:07 PM PDT by Colofornian
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To: Salvation

I had a nurse from my health insurance company come visit me today. (you get a 50 gift card so why not :))

I still don’t have diabetes at my ridiculous weight and bp is fine. God is throwing second chance after second chance.

What was incredible though, is she preached to me the power of Jesus Christ to heal all ailments of the mind. body, and soul. And begged me not to mention what she said to the higher ups. I thought it was beautiful.


7 posted on 05/19/2015 4:39:45 PM PDT by dp0622
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To: Salvation

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3275943/posts


8 posted on 05/19/2015 4:39:46 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Colofornian

Check the last two lines of the article, please.


9 posted on 05/19/2015 4:41:02 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: BipolarBob

Jesus didn’t ever read the NT, either.


10 posted on 05/19/2015 5:50:56 PM PDT by Wyrd bið ful aræd (Cruz or lose!)
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To: Salvation

Thank you for posting this.


11 posted on 05/19/2015 6:15:16 PM PDT by verga (I might as well be playing chess with pigeons,.)
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To: Salvation

I have always felt that the RESURRECTION was proof unto itself...why else would these men, the Apostles and disciples have continued to preach His message and subject themselves to persecution and death if their so called savior was rotting away in his grave.....nope, they knew that He rose from the dead....they saw Him...and later watched as He Ascended into Heaven.....would certainly strengthen my faith!!!


12 posted on 05/19/2015 8:04:09 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL)
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To: BipolarBob
The number one thing you need to know is that Jesus did not celebrate Easter.

Sure He did...and He was there at Christmas too!!!....read the book.

13 posted on 05/19/2015 8:07:59 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL)
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To: terycarl; BipolarBob

scripture says He laid His life down for our sins on Passover, as the Lamb. scripture says that is the 14th day, the 6th and final work day , a preparation day.

scripture says He was buried and laid in the tomb on the High Sabbath, the 15th day, which begins the Feast of Unleavend Bread, the 7th day Sabbath.

scripture says He was raised from the dead on the 3rd day. The Feast of First Fruits, the 16th day. the ‘first day of the week’ after the sabbath.

death, burial, resurrection.
all on His Feasts.

and good friday, holy saturday and easter sunday are found nowhere in scripture.

they are , however, found in the catholic catechism..

and maybe that is why when Pasover appears to ‘float’ around the pope gregory calendar, christians, messianics, jews never connect the dots that times have changed.

and why jews dont see passover as the last work day of the week , the day He finished His Work. even when it hits on the pope’s monday like it did in 2014..

tough to sell Paul’s gospel of passover, unleavened bread and first fruits according to the scriptures he knew with Rome’s substitute that fits their calendar. even judaism accepts it..

satan deceives the whole world..


14 posted on 05/19/2015 8:38:20 PM PDT by delchiante
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To: verga

You’re welcome. I learned something from it.


15 posted on 05/19/2015 8:41:28 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: delchiante

**and good friday, holy saturday and easter sunday are found nowhere in scripture**

Baloney.

Good Friday — the arrest, mocking, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus all happened on Good Friday.

Holy Saturday — Read the Scriptures. Christ descended to the dead. Some got up from their graves and walked around Jerusalem visible only to the believers.

Easter Sunday — The women go to the grave, Mary Magdalene thinks Jesus is the gardener, then she runs to tell the apostles that she has seen Jesus. Jesus walks through a door and shows himself to the apostles. Jesus appears to two disciples walking to Emmaus.

How can you miss all this in the Bible?


16 posted on 05/19/2015 8:46:09 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: BipolarBob

The number one thing you need to know is that Jesus did not celebrate Easter.


It may not have been called Easter, but He certainly did celebrate that day. In the morning, He visited His friends Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, later that day He joined two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus and shared a meal with them when they arrived there, then that evening He stopped by and visited His disciples and dined with them, eating some baked fish in front of them.


17 posted on 05/20/2015 4:46:45 AM PDT by rwa265
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To: delchiante; terycarl; BipolarBob

scripture says He was buried and laid in the tomb on the High Sabbath, the 15th day, which begins the Feast of Unleavend Bread, the 7th day Sabbath.


It was my understanding that scripture recorded that, in keeping with Jewish law, He had to be buried and laid in the tomb on the preparation day, before the Sabbath began.


18 posted on 05/20/2015 5:09:20 AM PDT by rwa265
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To: terycarl

He was there at Christmas but He did not celebrate Christmas. It was not a recognized holiday.


19 posted on 05/20/2015 7:09:42 AM PDT by BipolarBob
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To: delchiante
He was buried and laid in the tomb on the High Sabbath
so far, so good

maybe that is why when Passover appears to ‘float’ around the pope gregory calendar, christians, messianics, jews never connect the dots that times have changed.
You really don't know how the Feast Days are established, do you?

20 posted on 05/20/2015 7:14:12 AM PDT by BipolarBob
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