When I was a kid, Easter mornings were always exciting. The night before, all of us Dolan kids would line up our Easter egg baskets in front of the fireplace. When it was morning, we would race out to see what goodies filled them. But we didn’t simply receive whatever was given to us — we spent the morning counting. Every single one of us looked in our own baskets, and each other’s, to make sure we all had the exact same number of Easter eggs and jellybeans.
Looking back, I can’t help but laugh. We just wanted an equal share in the excitement of the morning, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But we also needed to do some growing; we eventually would need to get out of our own selfish way to start considering those around us.
I think the same can be said of the spiritual life, especially during the Easter season.
When we ponder what took place during Holy Week and the salvation we have received, it can be easy to focus on just that: my salvation.
In the famous hymn “When The Saints Go Marching In,” we hear some version of the line “Oh, how I want to be in that number!” We might think, isn’t that the goal of Easter and the Resurrection: to personally be counted in that number? After all, like each of the Dolan kids on Easter morning, we don’t want to be left out of any of the glory.
That’s certainly part of the puzzle, but it’s just the start.
Through our anointing at baptism and confirmation we are consecrated to the Lord for a purpose, for a mission. We become part of a priestly people, called to receive the life of Christ not only for ourselves, but also on behalf of those who can’t or won’t. And in all that we receive, we are also called to intercede for others, that they too may be counted in that number on the final day.
It’s fitting that Divine Mercy Sunday comes one week after Easter. I think it points us in the right direction. Immediately after the Resurrection, we are called to intercede for all souls, for the whole world. “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” We also hear an echo of this mission in the Fatima prayer: “Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
These are priestly prayers. We are a priestly people. We are invited to receive salvation in full, and then to go forth and share it with others.
This Easter season, particularly on Divine Mercy Sunday, I invite you to ponder this deep reality. Ask yourself: Am I just receiving the sacraments to check boxes? Or am I stepping into the fullness of truth that the life of the Spirit dwells within me not for my sake alone, but for the edification of the whole world?
Holy Spirit, lead each of us one step further; help us to take our eyes off of our own Easter baskets long enough to see the needs of others and to take ownership of the great call You have placed on our lives. Help us to live our mission fully so when that final day comes, and the saints really do come marching in, we and all those we have interceded for may be counted in that number. Amen.
