The promise is fulfilled

As the sun set this evening, Catholics all across the world gathered to celebrate the Vigil of Easter.  Here are some thoughts which I shared with those who came to complete the liturgies of the Easter Triduum with us tonight.

Love at all costs, part 3

Tonight, we are participating in the final segment of the liturgy that began on Thursday evening.  We have watched while seated at the feet of the Master, and he has taught us some valuable lessons about what he means when he calls us to love one another, to be ready to serve one another, even to the point of giving our lives.

This third part of the liturgy is also meant to remind us of our roots.  Every family needs to know at least some details about where they have come from.  Without knowing our past, we are less able to chart a future.

This liturgy began with the blessing of a new fire, and the singing of the Easter Proclamation, a prayer of praise to God who accomplished the greatest miracle when he raised his son Jesus from the tomb.  We remember tonight, the story of God’s love made known to us in the creation of all that we can see and touch (Gn 1:1-2:2) and we celebrate the victory of Christ who for our sake paid Adam’s debt to the eternal Father.  Ours is a story that began with the great journey of the Israelite people, our ancestors in faith, out of slavery in the land of Egypt (Ex 14:15-15:20) when God made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea.  Our God is willing to go to any and all lengths in order to show us how much we are loved: Even though you may have profaned my holy name ... I will sprinkle clean water upon you, he says, and you shall be cleansed from all your uncleanliness ... A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you (cf Ez 36:20, 25-26).

Tonight, our brother Travis, who has already been journeying for some time, comes to the water where he will be baptized.  The seed of faith that was planted in his heart has continued to grow.  It has been nourished by the example of wonderful people of faith, and watered by those who have accompanied him along the way.  Tonight, his faith will be affirmed through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and he will receive the food of the Eucharist which sustains God’s people and helps us to grow in faith.

The darkened hour at which we gather reminds us of that first Easter morning when Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James), and Salome brought spices to the tomb so that they might anoint Jesus’ body (cf Mk 16:1).  What they discovered both frightened and reassured them.   The words of the angel resound in our ears tonight, and in the ears of all those in our world whose faith is severely tested.  He has been raised, he is not here (Mk 16:6).

Like the disciples who had been confused by Jesus’ insistence on washing their feet in the Upper Room, these women would have been dazzled and confused by this news, yet despite their inability to fully comprehend its meaning, they were sent and encouraged to share the gospel with others: go, tell the disciples and Peter the good news (cf Mk 16:7). 

This is the good news that we have come to know; it is the news that we too must share with those we meet: Jesus Christ has been raised, he is not here!