Alleluia! Christ is Risen! 
The Episcopal Church's Easter Season, also known as Eastertide, is a time of great rejoicing and spiritual renewal. It begins on Easter Sunday and lasts for 50 days until Pentecost. This season is marked by the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At. St. Simon’s our altar frontal created by the children of our beloved and now grown up Sunday School brings life to the resurrection with butterflies. Butterflies also adorn the walls of the church as if they are flying toward the altar.
Long before Christianity, butterflies were seen as symbols of immortality and rebirth in various cultures, including ancient Egypt and Greece. This historical context adds depth to their association with Easter. The life cycle of a butterfly from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly mirrors the themes of death and resurrection found in the story of Easter. Just as a caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly, Christians believe that Jesus’ resurrection signifies the promise of new life after death. In Christian teachings, the caterpillar represents earthly life, the chrysalis represents Jesus’ death and burial, and the butterfly signifies resurrection and eternal life. The transformation is often used to illustrate the hope of believers in their own resurrection. The journey of a butterfly teaches us that change, although sometimes difficult, can lead to beautiful outcomes. It encourages us to embrace our own transformations and to let go of the past to discover new possibilities. 
Rebirth! The Easter Season celebrates new life and the arrival of The Holy Spirit on Pentecost. It brings with it 50 days of Joy, Praise and Spiritual Renewal. Just as spring awakens the earth, Easter and Pentecost awakens our spirits. Invites us to a closer relationship with the Trinity. God has given the life of His only Son to give us eternal life and sent His Spirit to us to guide us into relationship with Him. The Spirit of God is within us all if we open ourselves to it we can let it guide us to the life God has created for us. 
Have you spent your time during Lent giving up the distractions that keep us from God? Have you spent more time in the “wilderness” waiting for the resurrection? That spiritual shift from sadness to Joy will deepen your relationship with God further. Spending time in the quiet stillness of prayer and really listening for God can be just as transforming as a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
My own journey this Lenten season has opened my heart to a deeper connection with God. For the past year I have been waiting for the Diocese to recreate the discernment process to become a Deacon. I was led to attend the recent ordination service for Deacon Marc Gutierrez at the Cathedral. After the service I was moved to pray for patience agreeing that my journey will happen in God’s timing. The next day Deacon Milania filled in for Mark for healing prayers. I was led to ask for prayers of patience. After service she pulled me aside and recommended I request a meeting with the Bishop. In this meeting I should let him know I am being called to ministry and request a Spiritual advisor. Who knew that my request for patience would find me moving a little further down the road of my journey? Just like a butterfly, we all go through transformations in life. Keep your heart open to God and He will lead you.