Eastertide – 2017

Psalm 118 v 24

“This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it”

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

You will recognize that this quote from Psalm 118 was also the Gradual verse for the Mass on Easter Day; and on the surface it would seem to be a great expression of the joy and wonder that we experience as we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord. But in reality, this is not so much a declaration, but a response; an affirmation of a statement that has come before; a statement which can be found in verse 21of this same Psalm.

“I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation”. This is the declaration of Faith and hope that we cry out on Easter Day. This is our proclamation of God’s infinite Mercy. This is our announcement of God’s great victory over sin and death. This is our decree that by the Grace of God, we have been Saved.

Verse 24 is therefore a joyful response to and affirmation of this great statement; “I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation”(v 21); “This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it” (v 24). It is an acknowledgment that all that has come before has been made complete. It is a cry of happiness; it is a cry of elation; it is the cry of a people who have waited, who have endured, who have persevered through darkness; it is the cry of a people who now walk in the light. It is the cry of a people who have been granted their Salvation through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As we proceed through this season of Eastertide, I pray that you will likewise be inspired to declare your affirmation of this eternal Truth; that you will be witnesses to the great miracle of Christ’s Redeeming Sacrifice, and the Glory of His Resurrection; and that you will likewise be moved to declare to all the world your joy and wonder at this singular Mystery.

“This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it”

With all wishes for a Holy and Blessed Eastertide,

Yours in Christ, 

Daniel J. Jennings+