Recognition of Sacrifice, Resurrection and Forgiveness on Easter

By Susan Varghese
Standard Associate Editor

Easter eggs with illustration of Jesus on The Cross. Photo courtesy of Bluebellstrilogy.com

Easter is often connected to store shelves flooded with pastels, Easter egg hunts and the Easter bunny. However, the Christian meaning behind Easter runs deep and dates back roughly 2,000 years.

Easter is the day that Jesus Christ (believed to be the savior and son of God) was resurrected from the dead. Three days prior, Jesus Christ was executed — crucified by the Romans for daring to say that he was the Son of God and equal to the father. While Jesus was on trial by the Romans, he didn’t fight or offer a defense, it is understood that he willingly sacrificed himself, as the Son of God, to have God absolve the sins of the rest of mankind.

Essentially, his crucifixion symbolized the suffering he had in exchange for the forgiveness of everyone’s sins and that he died on the cross for the redemption of all of God’s children on earth.  The third day, he rose from the dead to join God (also known as the heavenly father), which is marked as Easter. Jesus foretold his resurrection, which can be found in the New Testament in Luke 24:46-47 ESV?(46) “and (Jesus) said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’”

Easter also signifies the end of Lent, which is 40 days of self-imposed sacrifice, commonly giving up luxuries, to commemorate the 40 days of fasting Jesus and his disciples did in the desert and to reflect on the memory of the sacrifice Jesus made. Many people give up things they love or modern technologies, like Facebook, chocolate, or meat.

Traditionally Easter is celebrated by attending church services throughout Holy Week (the week that Jesus died and resurrected), but is also celebrated through family lunches and get-togethers. Although egg hunts and candy can be found in homes all through the holiday, the point is to realize and understand the sacrifice, while being thankful with family and friends.

A Few Holiday Service Schedules from Five Towns Churches:

St. Joachim’s R.C. Church

614 Central Avenue in Cedarhurst. (516) 569-1845.

Good Friday: Mass at 3:00 p.m. and stations of a cross service at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday: Easter vigil at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday: 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services

Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church

68 Wanser Avenue in Inwood. (516) 239-0953

Friday: Liturgy of Lords Passion at 3:00 p.m., Stations of Cross service at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: Easter Vigil at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Saint Joseph’s R.C. Church

1346 Broadway in Hewlett. (516) 374-0290

Good Friday: morning prayer at 9:00 a.m., Commemoration of Lords Passion at 3:00 p.m., Stations of a Cross at  7:30 p.m.

Saturday: Easter vigil at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday: Services at 8:30 a.m.,10:30 p.m.,  and 12:00 noon

Trinity- St. John’s Church (Episcopal)

1142 Broadway in Hewlett. (516) 374-1415.

Good Friday: Interfaith service (Stations of Cross and Seven Last Words service involving preachers of different denominations) from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Sunday: Easter service at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.