Easter is the ultimate celebration of Life, and not just of
Life but of the victory of Life over Death, a victory won for
us by the ultimate act of Love, our Lord’s Sacrifice of
Himself on the Cross in remission for our sins. Love wins
out over sin and Life wins out over Death is a brief
description of Easter.
Not surprising, then, we see rabbits and eggs associated
with the celebration of Life that is Easter. Some people
with too much education and too little appreciation of Life
decry rabbits and eggs as pagan fertility symbols with no
place in the proper celebration of Easter. Personally, I see
nothing wrong in that and, in fact, find it wonderful that we
can take certain benign pagan symbols and “baptize” them.
Once, at an earlier assignment, I was given a cute Gund
Bunny at Easter-time by a parishioner. I put it on the
counter in the kitchen to share with my brother priests. The
pastor came in and expostulated, “Where did that obscene
object come from?” “It’s an Easter Bunny, what’s obscene
about that?” “Then, came the indignant response, “It is a
fertility symbol.” “Just what is wrong with fertility?” I asked,
and without waiting for a response added, “Genesis 9:1.”
An older priest, who silently witnessed this exchange
chuckled, and said, “That’s just a cuddley lil’ ol’ Easter
Bunny.” Then he patted the bunny’s head and said, “Be
fruitful and multiply and fill the earth,” as he grinned at me.
Easter Bunnies and Easter Eggs are indeed symbols of
Life; fertility symbols, if you will. As such they are
appropriate symbols of the ultimate celebration of Life. And
this is especially true in our sad society which is darkened
by contraceptive and abortive mentalities. So enjoy
chocolate Easter Bunnies and brightly coloured Easter
Eggs as we celebrate our Risen Lord and His truly
wonderful gift of Life.
V. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
[We adore you O Christ, and we bless you.]
R. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
[Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the
world.]