The eight days after Easter are all one big party in the Church’s tradition. Every one of them is reckoned, not as a weekday, but as part of Easter Sunday, with all the hoopla and festivity, celebration and feasting, song and gladness that should go with it. Excessive? But of course! Celebrations are supposed to be excessive! “My Son was dead and is alive again!” cries the Father as he kills the fatted calf. So strike up another tune on the harp and lyre, raise another glass, and join in the Great Feast. Alleluia! The Great War is over and the Lamb has triumphed!
Mark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is The Work of Mercy (Servant) and The Heart of Catholic Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register. Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog and regularly blogs for National Catholic Register. He lives in Washington state with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.