Holy Week, Part Two

EASTER SUNDAY

March 27th

The quote from Clarence W. Hall pretty much sums what Easter is to me. My cousin's daughter posted this to her wall (now timeline) on Facebook some years ago. On Thursday, Jesus introduced the sacrament at the last supper, was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and suffered in Gethsemane for our sins. On Friday, Jesus faced a angry mob and was sentenced to death at biased trial, then died on the cross for us all, so that we could be saved, redeemed and resurrected with the hopes of having eternal life. 

March 23rd
Wednesday evening, I read 4th chapter in "Christ-Centered Easter" so that I could catch up. I read about women who testified of Christ, not just in the Savior's day, but in today's world. The author talked of the women in Serbia who taught their children about Easter while under communist rule. They testified of Christ under trying circumstances. We are all called to be witnesses of Christ, even when it is hard. One way to testify of Christ is to give up something for a greater purpose and to forgive others.
March 24th
As I reading 5th chapter in "Christ-Centered Easter", I thought of my niece Lily, probably because lilies were mentioned as a symbol of believing. Lily's mother was told that she may not have children. So Lily's parents fasted and prayed about having a child and struggled with doubts of having a family of more than two adults. After reading this short chapter, I was glad that Lily had the name she was given. Lily's birth is a miracle. Lily is a reminder to believe, to have faith, to hope and to doubt our doubts.
March 27th
Thomas was one of the Twelve Apostles who saw Christ after he had been resurrected. Since others had testified of the resurrected Christ, he was doubtful that Jesus had returned. Thomas's faith was rewarded when he was able to see Christ and to touch his hand.
On Sunday morning in "The Holy Week", I read that lilies are symbolic of the resurrection because they are buried in the ground during the winter and bloom in the spring. Again I was glad that my niece was given the name of Lily, because she raised a hope in her parents of being a mother and a father.
I also thought of daffodils this morning and how a hope rises in me when I see those yellow blooms. In Utah, they are usually the first blooms of spring after a long, but sometimes bitter winter. When I see the rays of sunshine in the daffodils I know winter is over and spring as unpredictable as it can be is here. Even on snowy day, the sunshine flowers still thrive.

March 25th

After half way through Research Park, I decided to pull out "Christ-Centered Easter". I read about the two men who walked along  the road to Emanus. As they walked, a stranger joined them. And when the men recognized that Jesus was the stranger, he disappeared from their view. Although we can't witness Christ in the flesh, he walks with us. Especially in our more trying times.
March 26th
I came across the poem "Footprints" when my dad died. It was a comfort for me, because I knew I wasn't alone in my suffering. It meant something last year while I was recuperating from surgery. I reminded that the Good Shepherd is mindful of me and still watching over me. In my hardest times, Jesus is carrying me.

March 27th
Christ appear to others, not just to the women at the tomb or the disciples who were traveling along the road to Emmaus or to a doubting, but faithful Thomas, Jesus appeared to Saul when he was headed to Damascus to persecute more Christians. Jesus Christ also appeared to the Nephites and Lamanites in the new world. These early Americans had just endured three days of extreme darkness after experiencing hard core earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, flood and other earthly disturbances. While ministering to his sheep in the Americas, he healed the disabled, victims of the natural disasters and children. In modern days, Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove.
March 26th
I finished "Christ-Centered Easter" this morning and read the last chapter just a few minutes ago. After reading it, I realized I was to read this chapter on Easter. I was impressed with the Easter Sermon that she quoted from a dear friend. In this chapter, the author asked us to prepare for Easter and I think that is what Lent and the Holy Week do. And probably why my stake president from years ago gave members of his stake a pamphlet. She also invited the reader to celebrate Easter every day. To be grateful for Christ as done for us.

March 27th

In the 16th chapter of Mark, I learned that Mary Magdalene and another Mary came to the tomb to attend to body of Jesus. Probably to finish what they could not do late Friday afternoon. They were surprised to see the stone rolled away and were probably relieved because they had been concerned about how they would roll it away. When the women saw the empty tomb, their concerns increased. A young man clothed in white told them not to be afraid for Jesus Christ was not here, but had risen. He instructed them to tell the others, particularly the disciples of Christ and Peter. Mary Magdalene and Mary were obedient and testified of the empty tomb after they left.

In the book "The Holy Week for Latter-Day Saint Families", it spoke of the Easter tradition of decorating eggs. Eggs are a symbol of new life, coloring the egg is a symbol of a better life. Sometimes an Easter egg will turn my attention to the Savior during the Sacrament. I reminded of what Jesus Christ did for us in Gethsemane and on the cross. He was resurrected so that we could have a better life; to have eternal life.