Easter on Achill Island

EASTER ON ACHILL ISLAND

Many of the older Islanders love to talk about the way Easter was celebrated in the "Good Old Days". They talk of a full week of activity, which began on Palm Sunday. The priest blessed the Palms. When mass was ended, the members of the congregation collected their palms, which were usually left in large baskets at the door of the Chapel, or in the yard. The Islanders then brought the palms home, and cut them into slips, which they placed behind the holy pictures in each room in the house. They were left there until they rotted, and were then taken down and burned. The palms were never thrown out.

Palm Sunday commemorates Christ's Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem, when the people waved palm branches as a sign of welcome. But as Jesus entered Jerusalem, he wept for the people. He wept because these same people who welcomed Him to this great city, refused Him entry to their hearts. With great sadness in His voice, He said: "..How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing".
(Matthew Ch. 23 v 37).

The palms displayed in the homes of the Islanders were a reminder of the opportunity God has given us to welcome Him, not only to the Island, but also into our hearts. The challenge remains the same: Are we willing?

Spy Wednesday commemorated Judas' betrayal of Jesus. At the special service in the Chapel that night, the priest reminded the Islanders of the fact that it is not the outward appearance which is important, but the heart. To many people, Judas seemed to be a model follower of Christ. Outwardly, he was doing what was right. He attended the place of worship, and performed his religious duties. But his heart was far from God.

Concerning those who rely upon performing religious duties, etc., for their salvation, God says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men" ( Isaiah Ch.29 v 13).
On Holy Thursday the Blessing of the Oils took place, a reminder of the oils which were used to anoint the body of Jesus after His death. The service in the Chapel that night included sounds similar to whips cracking, reminding the people in the congregation of the scourging which Christ endured at the hands of Pilate's soldiers.

At three o'clock on Good Friday the death of Jesus was remembered at a special service in the Chapel. The "Adoration of the Cross" took place, when a large crucifix, veiled in violet, was brought to the altar. It was then unveiled, and brought to the altar rails, where the members of the congregation could approach and adore the cross. At this point, the "Kissing of the Cross" took place. The worshippers had the opportunity to kiss the wounds on the hands, feet, and side of the image of the dead Christ. The "Stations of the Cross" were then recited.

The reading of the Scriptures left people in no doubt concerning the fact that Jesus died as substitute for sinners: "Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for OUR transgressions, He was crushed for OUR iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah. Ch.53 v 4 - 6).
One of the ancient "Holy Saturday" customs on the Island involved the children. They left home early in the morning, carrying a milk-gallon, and walked many miles, collecting "Eggs for Easter". They visited as many farms as possible, determined not to return home until their gallon was filled with fresh eggs. It was of the utmost importance that each family had plenty of eggs for breakfast on Easter Sunday.

Another ancient custom involved the people bringing gallons and bottles to the Chapel, to collect "Easter Water". This was Holy Water, which had been especially blessed for Easter. The water was taken home, and used in the following ways:
( a ): Farmers sprinkled it on their fields, while reciting prayers for a good harvest.
( b ): Householders sprinkled it in their gardens, praying for a good crop of vegetables.
( c ): Each member of the family drank three mouthfuls of the water, praying for good health as they partook of it.
( d ): The Holy Water Font was filled with the Easter Water, and each time a person was about to leave the house, they dipped their finger in the Font and blessed themselves.
( e ): The Easter Water was sprinkled in each room of the house at night, as a means of protection for the family against any evil or illness that might befall them during the night.

Holy Saturday was known as "Confessions Day", and the Islanders were encouraged to express sorrow for their sins, which had caused Christ to be crucified. The priests heard Confessions throughout most of the day, and some people walked many miles to receive absolution.

On Easter Sunday morning, the eggs which had been collected by the children on the previous day were eaten for breakfast when the Islanders returned home after attending Mass. Most of the people had fasted since midnight, and then received communion, thus fulfilling their "Easter Duty".

The readings from the Scriptures reminded the people of the fact that Jesus had risen from the dead: "On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus… 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!' " (Luke Ch. 24 v 1-6).

The Scriptures made it clear that the Resurrection of Jesus was evidence of the fact that His Substitutionary sacrifice for sin had been accepted. Through His sinless life and His death on the cross He secured forgiveness of sins and eternal redemption for all who will put their faith in Him.
One of the ancient "Easter Sunday" customs on the Island is graveyard visitation. As they visited the graveyards on the Island, the people remembered their loved ones. Kildownet Old Graveyard is the resting-place of many who died during the Great Famine, and on Easter Sunday, they were especially remembered. The desire of those who remained was to be one day reunited with their loved ones who are in Heaven.

The message of Easter makes this possible, for it points us to Jesus, the One who willingly took upon Himself the penalty for the guilt of sinners. He will forgive and save all who, abandoning their dependence upon everything else, turn to Him in sincere repentance and faith, believing that He died as their substitute, thus securing for them eternal life.
Jesus says; "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me".
(Revelation Ch. 3 v 20)

Friend, remember those who welcomed Jesus to their city, but refused to welcome Him into their hearts, into their lives. "You were not willing", Jesus said of them.
But what about you? Are you willing to welcome Him into your heart as Saviour and Lord? You can invite Him in right now, for God says in His Word:
"..I tell you, NOW is the time of God's favour, NOW is the day of Salvation".
(2 Corinthians Ch.6 v 2)

Yes, friend, this can be a very special Easter on Achill Island for you, as you experience the power of the Easter message in your own life.

Dick Keogh.

Please contact:
Cherith Gospel Outreach,

email - Israel@esatclear.ie

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