In the Catholic church, the holiest days are celebrated with solemnity. This means we celebrate, honor, and cherish them with a formal and dignified rite or ceremony. The Holy Day of Easter is one of those days. This was Easter three years ago. This year “solemnity” may hold a different meaning.
Until 2020, Easter has been a day of rejoicing and praise. For religious people, it signifies humanity being freed from their sins at the cost of one life: the life of Jesus Christ. Beautiful high Masses with songs of thanks, praise and glory echo throughout the world on Easter Sunday. There is a contagious feeling of freedom on this date.
Even non-religious people celebrate Easter with rejoicing. When Easter comes Spring has usually arrived. The trees are covered with leaf buds and green grass is beginning to make its appearance. There is a euphoric feeling of joy in the hearts of mankind.
Easter Is Hope
Easter is hope personified. The dismal days of winter have passed. The price of our sins has been paid. There is hope for our future, both here on earth and in the hereafter.
Usually, families celebrate Easter with a large dinner. Included in the typical meal is baked ham and butter shaped like a lamb. Each family has its own Easter traditions. The gathering is a joyous occasion, bringing together generations of a family.
A Different Solemnity
However, this year, our Easter dinners have more solemnity. They are solemn in a different way. There are no big gatherings of family members. There may not even be dinners, due to lack of supplies.
COVID-19 has put a damper on many Easter plans. Priests and ministers are not allowed to hold Easter Sunday services in their church, although many of them are streaming it online to their parishioners, and the world.
Families are not allowed to gather for dinner. Fear of the virus, and many newly enacted laws and ordinances is keeping everyone locked in their individual homes. Grandma Jones, 90 years old, will have to spend her first Easter alone in her quiet apartment with no loved ones around. Susan, 21 years old, was so proud of having her own home that she was planning on hosting the family dinner. Instead, she will shelter-in-place and be alone.
The Smith family will not be having their usual Easter dinner. John Smith has been laid off due to the virus and they were not able to buy the Easter ham and potatoes this year. Keeping monthly bills paid is holding any available money hostage. Since there is no known ending date for the shutdown, families are holding money in reserve for future bills. Easter dinner this year will be spaghetti and meatballs.
No Change To Meaning of Easter
Easter 2020 is a solemnity for sure. It still stands for the hope and joy it always has. It’s just the celebration that is being changed. And, maybe that’s OK in its own way.
Due to the streaming of services online, people who previously did not attend church services for various reasons can follow along in the privacy of their own homes. In this way, the messages of hope and peace can reach more souls.
The anxiety and fear that seems to have covered the world at this time have turned our thoughts inward. People who once lived with a devil-may-care attitude are thinking more seriously about their actions. There is a greater turn toward thoughts of the afterlife and what it may bring.
Maybe the world needed this time of solemnity. We needed a wake-up call. And what better time for us to come to our senses than Passover / Holy Week / Easter when we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
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