Sunday , April 12th is Easter Sunday . Easter is a time of springtime festivals . In Christian countries , Easter is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God .
Easter is at the end of the Lenten season , which covers a forty -six-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter . The Lenten season itself comprises forty days as the six Sundays in Lent ( excluding Easter Sunday ). The Lenten season is a period of penitence in preparation for the highest festival of the church year : Easter .
Holy week, the last week of Lent begins with the observance of Palm Sunday . Palm Sunday takes its name from Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem where the crowds laid palms at his feet . In our church , we receive palms ( or coconut leaves as substitute of palms ) blessed by our priest . Many weave crosses or other significant and artistic creation out of the coconut leaves .
Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper , which was held the evening before the Crucifixion . Friday in Holy Week , is the Anniversary of the Crucifixion , the day that Christ was crucified and died on the cross .
Holy Week and the Lenten season end with Easter Sunday , the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ ..We celebrate it in North America by going to church and having a get together with the family and having Easter egg hunting . In the Philippines , we get together with having " bulalo" for lunch or dinner and in Mangaldan , our Easter Sunday means having "lauya " after the Easter Mass .
Other traditions in North America , associated with the festival , survive in the Easter rabbit , a symbol of fertility and in colored Easter eggs , originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring , and used in Easter -egg- rolling contests or given as gifts.
The Crucifixion and Death and the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus converts again our hearts to the Lord who suffered , died and rose for our salvation . It makes us reflect and perhaps accept our own sufferings and even our problems . It gives us the strength and hope to overcome them .. Finally , knowing that the kingdom of this world passes away , we strive to live the kingdom of God now and look forward to it's fullfillment in heaven .
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL ! ! ! MAY GOD'S LOVE AND GRACE BE WITH US ALL , NOT ONLY THIS SEASON BUT FOR ALL SEASONS .....
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