A time to reflect and a time for new beginnings

Today is a significant day. Not only does it mark the first day of the school holidays, for which I and my dear colleagues are so incredibly relieved, but today is the second day of the Easter Triduum. The Easter Triduum is my favourite time of the liturgical calendar. One can easily forgo the incessant push for Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs (all of which are a lot cheaper than the rest of the commercial wares pushed during Christmas - which seems to begin a lot earlier than our Advent calendar would have us believe.)

In fact, I don't mind hot cross buns. They are delicious - quite simple in the flavour (I only like the traditional type made with fruit; you can keep the moccha or chocolate or plain ones....ewww.)

Given that I only really like dark chocolate, it is a nice time to give to others. Most people have worked out not to buy me too much at Easter which is good.

The Easter Triduum, for me, is truly a time to stop and to reflect. I find that the liturgies and masses at this time command a real reverence. It is one of the few times of the year that I think people actually stop and think about what the Easter message is all about.

I also love this time because today's reading comes from St John's gospel. It really reminds us to focus on the salvation of the word. Two simple words. "I am" from John's gospel really sum it up. I cannot even begin to fathom what it must have been like, to lay ones' life down for friends, for those who sought to destroy him, for us. I can only give thanks and remember that this season is all about new beginnings. The Way of the Cross and the Passion Liturgy are two powerful and moving parts of today's liturgies. I will certainly take stock of the messages imparted to us and will certainly reflect on what has been and pray for what is to come.

I hope that you find time today, or over the Easter weekend to stop and reflect. To think about what has passed, to be quite introspective in thinking about your life, the direction it is taking and if you need to make changes and then to be filled with hope for the possibilities brought about by the resurrection.