Easter 2023

By Blaine Luetkemeyer, 3rd District Congressman
Posted 4/12/23

Matthew 28:5-6: “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see …

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Easter 2023

Posted

Matthew 28:5-6: “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.’”

Happy Holy Week and Good Friday! This is the most blessed weekend of the year for Christians and one we anticipate all year long. While Christmas is of course a holy season, Easter is the most meaningful one of all. We spend the 40 days of the Lenten Season praying, preparing, and oftentimes giving up something we love to get ready for Easter. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect and reset before celebrating the Resurrection and thanking God for sending his only Son to save us from our sins.

In Jefferson City, the annual Palm Sunday donkey parade is always a wonderful way to start off Holy Week. This year, Samson the donkey – who spends his usual days protecting sheep – led parishioners from a few local churches to the state capital and back with their palms, as a tribute to the original Palm Sunday when Jesus rode a donkey through the streets of Jerusalem. Across the Third District, there are Easter Bunny meet and greets and egg hunts happening for the kids to get them in the spirit. And of course on Sunday, churches all over our state will be filled with Missourians celebrating the holiest of days and the Resurrection of our Lord with beautiful readings and music.

Easter is a day my family looks forward to every year. The grandkids get a visit from the Easter Bunny, they hunt eggs, and usually eat a little bit too much candy – as they should. After one of my favorite services of the year at church, we all gather for a wonderful meal and some more family time. Spring has made its way to Missouri, and this weekend’s weather looks like we might have one of the nicest Easter Sundays in a while. It’s always nice to celebrate Easter with good weather, when flowers are blooming and birds are chirping. No matter what’s going on in the world at the time, we can count on spring bringing new life and renewed hope. It’s no accident that we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection just as nature and the world around us blooms and reawakens. Easter is the most hopeful day there is, and the beauty of springtime is often a visual reminder of how fortunate we are to be able to celebrate this holiday.

However you plan to spend your weekend, I wish you a wonderful one filled with joy, sunshine, family time and a blessed Easter Sunday!