"Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. All things belong to him and all the ages. To him be glory and power through every age. Forever. Amen."
We began our Easter vigil celebration this evening with the blessing of the new paschal candle and the lighting of the candle with the Easter fire. We used the above words to proclaim the lordship of Jesus Christ, the son of God and the savior of the world. Through the lighting of the paschal candle, we mark the light of Christ that comes into the world through his paschal mystery, through his resurrection.
With Christ’s death, a great silence and a great stillness came over the earth. The earth trembled. Christ disciples knew that he was the truth, the word incarnate. Because of his death, every semblance of reason was muted and hushed.
The three women arrived at his tomb, only to find it empty, only to receive this message: “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”
Tonight we participate in the most important liturgical celebration of the Church year. Tonight’s Mass contains rich sacramental symbols. Based on the traditions of the Early Church, our liturgy calls upon nature’s most basic element: open air, fire, water, light and darkness. Tonight’s liturgy emphasizes the cosmic dimensions of Christ’s Resurrection. Tonight’s readings present key moments from salvation history: the Exodus of the Jewish people from their slavery in Egypt; the prophet Isaiah calling the people to the waters of salvation; and the prophet Ezekiel calling the nation of Israel to renewal and new life during their exile in Babylon.
Tonight, we have one adult entering the Church and one adult being confirmed. Tonight, we the Catholic faithful will renew our baptismal promises and receive a blessing of special Easter holy water. We have commemorated the 40 days of Lent and Holy Week. Tonight, with great joy, we enter the Easter season in which we will celebrate the resurrected Christ in a special way. Tonight, sacramentally, we are untied with the apostolic Church and with Christians around the world we are celebrating the risen Lord. We join with all of creation in thanking God for our savior and our redeemer.
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