Perfect Joy and Perfect Sorrow
I was at the dollar store recently when I overheard a conversation between a young boy and his father. They were in the “Easter” aisle, looking at the plastic eggs. The boy, around 10 or 11, was explaining to his father, “You fill these with candy, and then you scatter them around the yard, so it is hard for the children to find them.” And then he directed his father’s attention toward the baskets. “And you need a basket to collect them.” The father asked a question, and the boy repeated his explanation of the eggs.
As I reflected on this conversation, because I found it endearing, I thought of how one might explain the significance of Easter eggs to someone who has never heard of them before. Why in the world would we “scatter” eggs filled with candy around our yards to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection? Eggs are a symbol of new life, I guess. Recently the Kindergarten classes at school hatched chicks...a clear example of new life coming from what appears to be a lifeless egg.
In the readings for the Second Sunday of Lent, as pointed out by an astute deacon, we are already hearing about the Resurrection. In the story of Abraham and Isaac, Abraham’s son was spared, Isaac was freed of His bonds; as the Resurrection of Christ freed humankind from the bonds of sin. In the story of the Transfiguration, we see Christ in His glory. And in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, Paul references Christ who was raised and who will continue to intercede for us.
Why, the good deacon went on to reflect, are we hearing about the Resurrection already in a season when we are supposed to be focused on repentance and penitence? Because with Christ, joy and sorrow meet. They meet in the culmination of the season of Lent, which is the Cross. In the Cross, we see the greatest sorrow the world has ever known. And yet, in the Cross, we can rejoice in the greatest joy the world has ever known, because through it we were freed from our bondage to sin and can truly call ourselves children of God...by no merit of our own.
I find it hard at times to keep up my “enthusiasm” for the season of Lent. Why do I have to spend 40 days dwelling on how sinful and bad I am? I am more than capable of coming up with reasons that I am not good enough, that I am insufficient, things that I need to improve, without the help of praying for insight into my sinfulness. I am very aware, however, that my mindset is incorrect. Lent is a time to remember how much I am in need of that perfect joy that Christ gives us in the cross. Lent is a time to remember that we are never without the perfect joy of the Resurrection...even when surrounded by sorrow, whether it be for our own sins or those of others that have hurt us. Perfect joy and perfect sorrow meet at the Cross.
