I wish you a good morning on this Easter Monday.   It’s a special observance on our church calendar and in some places even a national holiday, but what are we celebrating?  When my kids were little it was a “sugar high day” from too much candy on Sunday.   It was also a day for egg salad, using all our colored eggs.

Since neither of those seemed like reasons for a liturgical observance, I did a bit of research.  It seems that Easter Monday is celebrated uniquely in many parts of the world.  I’ll share just a few.

Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate “Bright Monday.”  After worship services, there is a procession and a blessing with holy water.

The Polish Easter Monday tradition goes a step further with “Smigus-Dyngus,” which involves people throwing copious amounts of water at each other.  Although all in fun, it likely dates back to the 14^th century where water was a symbol of life and renewal.

Egyptians observe the ancient festival of “Sham Ennessim” on Monday.  Customs include painting eggs and eating meals outdoors.

In France many people spend Easter Monday quietly with family and friends.  In the village of Bessieres, the inhabitants make a huge omelet with 15,000 eggs in a pan about 13 feet wide.  Then they hold a communal meal to eat it.

In the village of Cargese on the island of Corsica, local guilds and churches take part in a colorful parade on Easter Monday.  After the parade, the fields are blessed for the coming year.

In Austria and southern Germany folks celebrate “Emmausgang.”  This commemorates the disciples walk to Emmaus when Jesus followed them without being recognized.  

Our gospel for Easter Monday, Matthew 28:9-15, also tells the story of the walk to Emmaus.  “Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said.  They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.  Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’”

So each in our own way, let’s remember God’s unconditional love on this Easter Monday.  Our celebration of Easter need not end at the close of Easter Sunday.

“Almighty God, you give us the JOY of celebrating our Lord’s resurrection.  Give us also the JOY of life in your service, and bring us at last to the full JOY of life eternal.”

Judy