​Easter Turnabouts

Easter Turnabouts
 
Today, there were only a couple of us down for lunch at first.


We were at the table praying our Before Meal prayers when, suddenly, I realized, “We shouldn’t be praying the Angelus; it’s Regina Caeli time! 
 
Consequently, in the middle of the prayers, we made an abrupt switch and began praying the Marian antiphon for Easter instead. 
 
As I write this, I am realizing that this is not the only abrupt change or turnabout during this season.  In fact, this morning’s gospel account of the Road to Emmaus includes such a change. 
 
At the beginning, two travelers were “looking downcast,” and discussing with dismay the horrible events that had happened the previous Friday.  By the end, they had returned to Jerusalem with joy, hurrying back to share their wonderful news. 
 
Sudden transitions from terrible sorrow to exuberant joy are deeply embedded into our experience of this time of year.  No wonder the Church gives us a whole octave every year to delve into this great mystery!
 
I pray that during this beautiful Easter Season you may encounter our Risen Lord, who is truly the reason for our joy, finding Him “in the breaking of the bread,” in prayer, and “along the way.”
 
Have a blessed Easter Season!