What is Eastertide
Eastertide, also known as the Easter season or Paschal season, is a period in the Christian liturgical calendar that spans the 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. It is a time of joy and celebration, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his appearances to his disciples after his resurrection. The season includes important feasts such as Ascension Day, which marks Jesus’ ascension into heaven, and culminates with Pentecost, celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Eastertide is often characterized by themes of renewal, hope, and the triumph of life over death.
The first days of Eastertide, known as the Easter Octave, are a period of eight days starting on Easter Sunday and concluding on Divine Mercy Sunday. This time is celebrated as a single joyful feast, emphasizing the central mystery of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each day within the octave is treated with the solemnity of Easter itself, with special readings and prayers that reflect the joy and triumph of Christ’s victory over death. For Christians, it is a time of deep gratitude, reflection, and rejoicing in the promise of eternal life.
He has Risen
Mark 16: 1-7 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Easter Octave – Easter Sunday April 20th 2025
Christ is risen! Today, we celebrate the victory of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair. The empty tomb is a powerful reminder that no stone is too heavy, no obstacle too great, for God’s redeeming love.
Take a moment to reflect on the joy of the Resurrection. What does the risen Christ mean in your life? In what areas of your heart do you long to experience new life and renewal?
Prayer: Risen Lord, thank You for the gift of new life. Fill my heart with the joy and hope of Your Resurrection. Help me to live as a witness to Your love and to share the good news with others. Amen.