Easter tide, a special time of my year!

This morning 'I feel I've arrived at the door of the Holiest week of the Church year' the door of Easter tide. Everyone is invited to attend the Chrism Mass and I don't know about you but I am excited! This beautiful Mass is a combination of many things and Bishop says it best "Chrism Mass reflects the nature of the Church". As the name suggests, the oil of Holy Chrism and oils for for Catechumens and the Sick will be consecrated. Also, importantly we will recognize and celebrate priests that serve in our Diocese and who are having ordination anniversaries. Because we have priests, we can fully live out our Catholic faith. I believe there is a challenge of the Cross and Easter tide always brings me back. I rededicate my life and recapture the joy and peace (His free gifts for you and me). Images of His outstretched arms remind me of the greatest love story told without words. He offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom for the world. When we finished arranging the Crosses (photo)...it almost took my breath away. So beautiful! My husband, a perfectionist measured distances and it took took forever and ever. Yes! His precision really made the difference. The other pics...one is the thorn tree & the other, the crown of thorns I created for a meditation for this holy week. When our son was in High School he made a crown of thorns and we haven't been able to find it. He created it from thorns found out on our 'wild' acreage here in the valley. Last Sunday, Palm Sunday...I went on a search and found the wicked thorn tree. We've lived here for many years and I've never seen such a wicked looking tree in all my life. Ugly! I'm one of those people who get rid of eye sores, and now too late, too big to chop down. No, actually I think it was created by God for a reason...maybe for someone just like me...wanting to recreate something for a meditation. It was literally a pain to weave the crown (adding thorns) and I could only reflect on the pain Our Lord experienced for love of you and I. Our beautiful King. I think of Our Lady, Mother Mary watching her only son Jesus be crucified. I have one awesome, amazing son myself and I love him so much, I could never be so strong as Mary. Mother Mary loved so deeply. She knew. My message to you "Remember that God gave His son, the biggest gift to the world so that we can have a chance of Salvation. You are loved! Happy Easter tide!"