I’m not really a religious person, but I love Easter. It is the the story of death and suffering and then, against all odds, the  miracle of new birth and new life. In it is the mystery of life on earth that we are reminded of every spring.

Our vines are budding out, our hens are laying eggs as fast as we can pick them up, the fields around Sonoma are dotted with puppy-sized lambs, big eyed calves, and our bees are returning to their hive laden with pollen and nectar from the newly blooming flowers.

In his pre-Easter homily today, Pope Francis called on Catholics to learn how to “enter the mystery” of Easter, the commemoration of the Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion.

“To enter into the mystery means going beyond our own comfort zone, beyond the laziness and indifference which hold us back, and going out in search of truth, beauty and love,” Francis said.

“It is seeking a deeper meaning, an answer, and not an easy one, to the questions which challenge our faith, our fidelity and our very existence,” he said.

I find this call to mystery relevant to me this season of new life.

However you celebrate this season, I hope we all find courage as we seek out truth, beauty, love and a deeper meaning.  XO