The week in review

Why is it that Christmas is always celebrated on the same day, but Easter changes dates every year? The answer admittedly takes a bit of time to understand.

The date for the celebration of Christmas varied during the first years of the existence of the Church. It was not until the fifth century that the date was fixed as December 25, but since that time, the Roman Church has always celebrated the Birth of Christ on that day.

As to the calculation for the Solemnity of Easter, that takes a bit more mental gymnastics. As with the calculation of Christmas Day, there was some dispute in the first years of the Church's existence as to the method to be used for the determination of Easter day, but it wasn't long before the entire Church agreed to follow the example set by the Coptics who first agreed that Easter should be celebrated on 'the first Sunday after the first fourteenth day of the moon that is on or after March 21'. In modern-day parlance, Easter is thus calculated as the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the Spring Equinox. Confused yet?

This year (2008), Easter falls on March 23. This is the second earliest day that it can possibly happen. In fact, this year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts:

• The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).


• The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!

All Christian faith traditions that follow this dating for the calculation of Easter Day will be busy in the coming days. Holy Week is one of the fullest weeks from a liturgical point of view that is possible, and the events that we read about and live during Holy Week are also at the heart of what we do as Christians.

As always, the text of my homily for this weekend is available on the parish website, and the podcast is also available for those who would rather listen to it. If you choose the second option, be aware that the scripture readings for this weekend are also part of the podcast, as they were recorded during one of the Masses celebrated at my parish this weekend.

Whereever you are this week, welcome the events of Holy Week as an invitation to grow in love, compassion and forgiveness ... and to celebrate these divine gifts given freely by One who loves you deeper than you can possibly imagine.