I miss New York City at Easter. I miss seeing the “Easter Parade” of people on Fifth Avenue. The police cut off the traffic, and people walk up and down the street showing off their Easter outfits and Easter bonnets. This happens year after year. The great composer Irving Berlin immortalized the event with his song “Easter Parade” from the Broadway show.
Is there a solid way to describe who we Christians are? Can it be done in one simple or short phrase? St. Augustine (A.D. 354–430) said it centuries ago, and it is still an excellent way to describe us:
“We are Easter people, and Alleluia is our song.”
I think that it is an excellent description for us, especially at this time of year. Our pope, Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian, would certainly know this descriptive phrase.
Do you see yourselves as Easter people, and is Alleluia your song?
We, as Easter people, are created good. We are called to radiate Easter joy in our world. Easter joy comes from our faith that grows through unselfish love. It respects the fundamental duty of love of our neighbor.
This joy is demanding. It requires a readiness to say, with Mary, the mother of Jesus, “Be it done to me according to your word.”
Are you an Easter person? This does not deny your own Good Friday — the pain and suffering — but you will also share in the joy of the Resurrection. We believe that Jesus rose from the dead on that Easter morning. In our celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we see the power of Easter. It transforms lives, changes destinies and opens a future found in the Risen One.
Jesus’ rising from the dead is our rising from sin and shame, making possible our resurrection and that of those we have lost.
We can sing Alleluia — praise God — we are Easter people!
It is a wonderful gift of God, as St. Augustine reminds us in his writing.
