Passover, Easter - and the moon

    Photo by Juan Rodriguez

 

There are millions of images
    of sunrises and sunsets
but not often enough do we see
    a moonrise, a moonset...

 

And this week, the moon is so important 

   as its light and phases determine

the time to celebrate to celebrate

    our paschal feasts...     

 

Passover:

    in the seventh month, 

        the 15th day of Nisan,

            at the full moon... 

 

Easter: 

   the first Sunday

      after the first full moon

         after the spring equinox...

 

How fitting, Lord, that the heavens above 

    should set the date for us to celebrate

      your rising from the dead!

The moon:

   drawing its cool silver light 

      from the heat of the sun;

the moon:

   waiting for springtime's turn

      at equal night and day;

the moon:

   full of vernal glory,

      awaiting the Paschal Lamb...

 

In these early days of Holy Week,

   shine your light, O God, 

      upon our faith, our prayer,

upon our waiting for your Son to rise again:

   in our hearts, in our souls and in the world

with the gift, the grace and glory

    of your everlasting life... 

Amen.

 

Here's some Celtic music to help us contemplate the rising of the Paschal moon...

 

Moonsong by Adrian von Ziegler 

 

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