Daily Divine: Feeling the energy of Easter

So many of you tell me you were raised Catholic—from the most casual mass-at-Christmas-and-Easter, to the most devout parochial-school-with-nuns-or-priests. 

Nowadays, many of you are still Catholic, or not Catholic at all—or maybe you're not really sure where the formal religion of your childhood intersects with your new spiritual beliefs. 

I have my own Catholic experience.

I was raised by non-religious parents who sent me to the local convent—which mean nuns wearing dimples,  mass daily, fonts of holy water in the hallway, and statues of St. Frances Assisi everywhere.

Lots of folks didn't have great experiences at Catholic schools, but I did. I converted to Catholicism as an adult, and practiced for many years until my near-death-experience—when everything changed.

In any case, I am familiar with the Easter energy that many of us are feeling now. 

Easter Week is hugely emotional: Maundy Thursday is somber and incredibly sad. Good Friday brings hope. Easter Vigil, which begins Saturday night and at the parish I use to attend, included a blazing bonfire, a swinging vessel of incense... and many, many (did I say many?) hours later, the baptism of all new members of the church in water and chrism. Easter begins during the wee hours of the vigil, and continues on till morning. 

If you have these Easter memories hardwired into your system, you're going to be feeling stuff this week, whether you want to or not. 

Religion has been wonderful for many people.
Religion has wounded many others. 
We each have our own experience. 
But it all comes back, every spring. 

For me, what's best it to acknowledge that the energy swirling around us this week is there, and it affects us. 

So just feel it... feel it all... and let your feelings be released. 
Then take a look around you. 
​
Today, the  daffodils are out, and very soon the tulips will be here. 
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Notice everything. 
And be in awe. 

Much love, 
SARA