Easter reflections...

I've been quiet for so long, I think it's time to talk.
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Easter's a big let down, isn't it.  Not a question BTW.  I always thought Easter was rather protestant - isn't that odd?  I think it's because it's all about the clothes - and some of the hymns too.  I really do.  I was in Our Lady's chapel before Mass and I could hear the women as they came in squealing over each other's outfits.  The male ushers were throwing compliments around as if they were trying to pick up chicks.  One guy boasted that his new suit went perfectly with his shiny new car.  Nothing wrong with that - it's people stuff and it is just fine - so I'm not complaining.  Just talking.
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Spiritually bi-polar.
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Actually, Easter itself isn't the let down - maybe it's just the observance or the expectation which makes it seem so spiritually bi-polar.  If you follow Holy Week intensely, especially Good Friday and Holy Saturday - it can get pretty heavy.  Then when Easter Sunday suddenly bursts upon you, you are supposed to be all joyful and triumphant - even though you are still trying to get over Good Friday.  See what I mean?  Crying your eyes out one day and jumping up and down the next - yes - they do that in the Middle east - they go nuts.  I think I've learned to handle it however.  I remind myself we just commemorate Christ's passion - even though he's alive and well in heaven.  Then on Easter I tell myself he was risen all along and we just commemorate the resurrection on Easter.  Otherwise it's just too nuts.  The Russians know this because their Easter greeting, 'Christos voskres!' sounds like 'Christ was crazy!'  Kind of.  It doesn't mean that of course.
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Pewsitters.
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As usual, Church was so crowded and I think that is just wonderful.  I was actually delighted to have kids crawling over me all through Mass - they were so cute.  Nope.  I'm not being sarcastic either.  I loved it.  I don't have kids and never wanted any - but I enjoy watching them play and crawl around the pews. 
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I had a new appreciation for those people who save up all their devotion for Ash Wednesday, Easter and Christmas - I think it is a wonderful thing, what they do.  Even though they do not go to Mass at other times during the year, I figured, at least they must be thinking about it, otherwise they probably wouldn't make it on the days they think are important.  I was able to sit in between two devout families and in front of me was another couple who seemed to be Easter Catholics - I assumed they were with their adult children and grandchildren.  I like seeing that - or being with them, you might say.  It reminds me of how important it is to be kind and welcoming to others who may not be regular church goers.  Not to judge or snub or glad-hand them either.  Some people just don't like churchy behavior.  I know!
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Chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!! 
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After Mass I stopped at Walgreen's to see what Easter candy they had left, but my favorites were all sold out.  On my way home I noted that the grocery stores were closed and I felt kind of sad for Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus (Minneapolis has tons of them) - what are they supposed to do today?  As soon as I got home, I checked the big bowl of fresh fruit I put out for the rabbit, looks as if she ate most of it, with the help of squirrel family of course.  Then I ate some chocolate. 
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Oh - I forgot to mention I wore jeans to Mass, and no one gave me dirty looks.  Maybe I make too much of what I wear?  Could be.

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Happy Easter once again - thanks for your cards, I appreciate them, even though I forget to send them myself.  Praying for you and with you in the novena to the Divine Mercy.
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Art:  EsterHazy, Michael Sowa

Mass Chat: Dear Terry...

Crackpot with a website wisdom.

Ed. Note:  I get questions too you know, thus for my afternoon break I thought I'd answer one.  Not everything is in my acclaimed academic best seller, "Ignored Works", thus from time to time, when Fr. Z is in NYC, I need to answer queries from my fan base...

A kindly reader writes:
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Dear Terry,  Do you know why a woman's sexual sin is graver than a man's.

Signed,

Mr. P
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The Original Deal - my reply:
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Dear P,

So sorry for the delay, I know you asked this in a previous post.  I want you to know, I actually answered your query 'right off the bat' as they say, but I prudently waited a few days to publish my reply to allow some time for the thought to gel, and then return to review what I wrote so as not to be too precipitous in answering every crackpot with a website.  LOL!  I'm being rather facetious with you!  But it is good to avoid posting without thought. 
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So anyway, dear Pablo, may I call you Pablo?  To answer your query, "why are women called to greater purity and are bigger sluts than men when they do dirty things?":
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I'm afraid it all has to do with Adam and Eve and that thing theologians refer to as the "original deal".  As you know, Eve, the first woman was created from Adam's rib.  Therefore, Eve's body (and by extension all women's bodies) was not really her own.  Consequently, a woman has no rights except those permitted her by men.  This was what is referred to as the "original deal" - due to the fact Eve's body was taken from the man's body.  It's pretty simple. 
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As everyone knows, Eve's sin was the "original deal breaker" - she started it - nevertheless her rebellion never changed the fact her body wasn't her own.  Naturally, this is why a woman's sin against the flesh is considered graver than a man's - the woman has no rights over her body since it really belongs to the man.  One sees this demonstrated in conception - a woman is impregnated with the man's seed - hence the child, though nourished in the mother's womb, is not her property, but remains the man's property. 
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With this in mind, we know that everything bad is pretty much the woman's fault, but men may be excused for falling for their manipulative, seductive charms.

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Signed,

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Terry, Crackpot with a website
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(Except for the original question, I made the rest up.)