My pastor told me that yesterday was the earliest Easter since 1913. The earliest that Easter can ever fall is only one day earlier, March 22, and that hasn’t happened since 1818.

As you may know, Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of spring, which is March 20. (Anybody notice the full moon this week?)

As I mentioned before, in the old days, during the Black Fives Era, the playing of basketball was strictly off limits during Lent, the period known to old-schoolers as the Lenten Season.

It was a practice, a courtesy, a forbearance that was never formally abandoned by the church or by the game’s founding fathers.

That means this is the first time in the history of basketball (which was invented in 1891), and therefore the first time in the history of the N.C.A.A. Men’s Basketball Tournament, that March Madness is sanctified.

Part of it, anyway.

I say part because Tournament Week as well as the first 2 rounds of the N.C.A.A. Tournament (including yesterday’s Easter Sunday games) were played prior to the end of Lent.

(Wondering why Duke lost? UConn? Gonzaga? Georgetown?)

So, because Lent is now officially over, the upcoming Elite Eight, Final Four, and N.C.A.A. Championship games can be played with the full and complete blessing of the church.

For the very first time ever!

I’m surprised — no, shocked — that none of the pundits caught this. Some people, understandably, are gonna be quite upset! It’s not only blasphemous, but also possibly unpatriotic.

I have to admit that I didn’t realize this was the earliest Easter in 95 years! (Not even 92-year-old former New York Rens player John Isaacs was born yet.) I probably would have known that, had I attended church more often.

But which is worse, not attending church regularly, or playing basketball during Lent as a sinner?

If some pundit wants to get righteous with me, then I’m gonna ask ‘em if they have a bracket? If they do, then they’re a sinner! I’m gonna ask ‘em if they disavow, repudiate, and reject March Madness? If they don’t then they’re a sinner!

Unless they only filled out the Elite Eight. Then they’re sanctified.

This year!

Lent won’t end this early again for another 220 years! So they either need to stop their finger pointing (because they’re busted) or give up March Madness for life.

Or else they’re a hypocrite to boot.

Anyway, is Easter over yet? Good, then play on!

And please remember to make history now! Every moment is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Literally, in this case.

(Photo courtesy of Chuck Burton for AP Photos.)