Monday within the Octave of Easter

Solemnity

“But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:24). [1]

Today is the second day within the Octave of Easter, the eight-day period that began on Easter Sunday and lasts until Divine Mercy Sunday. This eight-day period may have been modeled on the similar period of Unleavened Bread that followed the Passover. [2]

From now until Pentecost or the 50 days called Eastertide, Christians are invited into mystagogy. This daily instruction in the Christian mysteries helps the faithful gain “an awareness that one’s life is being progressively transformed by the holy mysteries being celebrated.” Ways to enhance this mystical time of learning include getting connected to a small faith community, regular adoration, prayerful contemplation, Mass, the Eucharistic, etc. As we witness to the Resurrection now and in the coming weeks, may it truly be a transforming event in our life. [3][4]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
[1] New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[2] F.L. Cross and E.A. Livingstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (London: Oxford University Press, 1974), 990.
[3] Dr. Gerard F. Baumbach, “Eucharistic Mystagogy,” Catechetical Sunday (2011), usccb.org.
[4] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed., #1075.


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