The joy of Easter comes to light this night, out of the darkness of the waiting world, and as sentinels of the morning, we watch and wait even as we pray in candlelight during the Vigil that begins at sunset. Great things are commemorated on this night: we retell the story of our salvation, we bless water which will be used for baptism, and which reminds us all of our own baptismal invitation and commitment to live as disciples of Jesus, we welcome new members into our Church through the celebration of Baptism and Confirmation, and we share the most precious gift, the Eucharist, with these newly-initiated companions.
This indeed is a holy night, which bears the promise of Easter joy to be celebrated for the next fifty days. As the Paschal Triduum comes to a close, our service must be modeled on the humble gestures of the Upper Room, our sorrow and fear in light of the crucifixion are now transformed into exaltation, and we sing together the Easter greeting: Alleluia, He is risen!
Here then is part three of the reflections for the Triduum, and a greeting for the Easter season:
The triumph of tender love
There are five individuals present with us here tonight. For a number of years now, Jesus has been calling to them, and for at least the last number of months, each of them has been responding to his call, preparing for this night by learning more and more about the Catholic Church, our traditions, our beliefs. They have been present at each of the particular moments of this Easter Triduum, actively participating in the foot washing of Holy Thursday, listening to the story of Jesus passion and death on Good Friday, and tonight listening to the account of our salvation from the time of Adam and Eve until the triumph of Jesus on that first Easter day.
Tonight, two of these five individuals will be baptised with the water that we will bless, and three others will join them to profess the faith that we all profess before the Oil of Chrism, consecrated last week by Bishop Plouffe is used to sacramentally seal the covenant of faith that is entered into tonight. Thank you in advance to all five of you for the witness of faith that you provide for us, your fellow pilgrims, and the sign of hope that you will continue to be for all those who will look to you in the future for guidance.
The liturgies of Holy Thursday and Good Friday have not only told the story of Jesus’ love for his disciples, a love that he demonstrated for all of us by dying on a cross. Liturgy is more powerful than simple story telling. It allows us to enter into the mystery of the moment. On Holy Thursday, we repeated the action of washing feet, just as Jesus did. On Good Friday, we venerated the cross, just as Jesus mother and disciples did, and after having waited with them in hope, we now stand with Mary Magdelene outside the tomb.
If we were listening very carefully, perhaps we heard a particular little detail recounted in Matthew’s gospel tonight (this morning). The resurrection is announced using the imagery of a severe earthquake. We have heard this detail once before. On Good Friday when Jesus gave up his spirit, there was an earthquake that caused the curtain in the temple to be torn in two, and the tombs of the dead to be opened. Can you imagine for a moment the violence of such an earthquake, with power to open the tombs of the dead?
It seems to me that earlier this year, when the people of Northern Japan were surprised by the devastating effect of an undersea earthquake, the last thing that might have been on their minds was some kind of good news. Despite the calm and serenity that was portrayed at least in the first weeks following that occurrence, I’m sure that the tremors beneath their feet evoked fear and panic. When the ground rumbles beneath our feet, both literally and metaphorically, we too are shaken, but the gospel presents a different understanding of the power of earthquakes.
In Matthew’s account, tremors in the earth are a sign that promises are being fulfilled, that good news is being announced, that the dead who have awaited the coming of Christ are finally raised to the fullness of life, and that Jesus himself leads the way as he rises from his own tomb. This is the triumph that we celebrate tonight (today). This is the reason why we gather each week, to renew our commitment in faith, to strengthen our own resolve to live our lives with gospel joy.
When we baptise tonight (today), I doubt very much that the ground will shake beneath us, but the truth of the matter is that the Easter celebration reminds us all that even at times when the world around us might appear to be dying or ending, Jesus is present, bringing us back to life, reminding us that despair and destruction do not have the final word. Sinfulness, darkness and death are overcome by the living and present Jesus whose words startle, console and renew us: Do not be afraid.
In this marvellous, earth shattering moment, let us listen once again for these consoling words. Having encountered the Risen Christ, having listened to his Word and having received his body and blood, special food for our journey, we give thanks and we bow down in worship. May we always look to him for guidance. May we always rely on him for consolation, and having experienced the power of his love, may we always be ready to proclaim the good news of his Resurrection.
Happy Easter.
This indeed is a holy night, which bears the promise of Easter joy to be celebrated for the next fifty days. As the Paschal Triduum comes to a close, our service must be modeled on the humble gestures of the Upper Room, our sorrow and fear in light of the crucifixion are now transformed into exaltation, and we sing together the Easter greeting: Alleluia, He is risen!
Here then is part three of the reflections for the Triduum, and a greeting for the Easter season:
The triumph of tender love
There are five individuals present with us here tonight. For a number of years now, Jesus has been calling to them, and for at least the last number of months, each of them has been responding to his call, preparing for this night by learning more and more about the Catholic Church, our traditions, our beliefs. They have been present at each of the particular moments of this Easter Triduum, actively participating in the foot washing of Holy Thursday, listening to the story of Jesus passion and death on Good Friday, and tonight listening to the account of our salvation from the time of Adam and Eve until the triumph of Jesus on that first Easter day.
Tonight, two of these five individuals will be baptised with the water that we will bless, and three others will join them to profess the faith that we all profess before the Oil of Chrism, consecrated last week by Bishop Plouffe is used to sacramentally seal the covenant of faith that is entered into tonight. Thank you in advance to all five of you for the witness of faith that you provide for us, your fellow pilgrims, and the sign of hope that you will continue to be for all those who will look to you in the future for guidance.
The liturgies of Holy Thursday and Good Friday have not only told the story of Jesus’ love for his disciples, a love that he demonstrated for all of us by dying on a cross. Liturgy is more powerful than simple story telling. It allows us to enter into the mystery of the moment. On Holy Thursday, we repeated the action of washing feet, just as Jesus did. On Good Friday, we venerated the cross, just as Jesus mother and disciples did, and after having waited with them in hope, we now stand with Mary Magdelene outside the tomb.
If we were listening very carefully, perhaps we heard a particular little detail recounted in Matthew’s gospel tonight (this morning). The resurrection is announced using the imagery of a severe earthquake. We have heard this detail once before. On Good Friday when Jesus gave up his spirit, there was an earthquake that caused the curtain in the temple to be torn in two, and the tombs of the dead to be opened. Can you imagine for a moment the violence of such an earthquake, with power to open the tombs of the dead?
It seems to me that earlier this year, when the people of Northern Japan were surprised by the devastating effect of an undersea earthquake, the last thing that might have been on their minds was some kind of good news. Despite the calm and serenity that was portrayed at least in the first weeks following that occurrence, I’m sure that the tremors beneath their feet evoked fear and panic. When the ground rumbles beneath our feet, both literally and metaphorically, we too are shaken, but the gospel presents a different understanding of the power of earthquakes.
In Matthew’s account, tremors in the earth are a sign that promises are being fulfilled, that good news is being announced, that the dead who have awaited the coming of Christ are finally raised to the fullness of life, and that Jesus himself leads the way as he rises from his own tomb. This is the triumph that we celebrate tonight (today). This is the reason why we gather each week, to renew our commitment in faith, to strengthen our own resolve to live our lives with gospel joy.
When we baptise tonight (today), I doubt very much that the ground will shake beneath us, but the truth of the matter is that the Easter celebration reminds us all that even at times when the world around us might appear to be dying or ending, Jesus is present, bringing us back to life, reminding us that despair and destruction do not have the final word. Sinfulness, darkness and death are overcome by the living and present Jesus whose words startle, console and renew us: Do not be afraid.
In this marvellous, earth shattering moment, let us listen once again for these consoling words. Having encountered the Risen Christ, having listened to his Word and having received his body and blood, special food for our journey, we give thanks and we bow down in worship. May we always look to him for guidance. May we always rely on him for consolation, and having experienced the power of his love, may we always be ready to proclaim the good news of his Resurrection.
Happy Easter.
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