From fire and water come light and faith for all
Reflections on the readings for the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter (March 31, 2018): GN 1:1—2:2, PS 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,13-14,24,35, GN 22:1-18, PS 16:5,8,9-10,11, EX 14:15—15:1, EX 15:1-2,3-4,5-6,17-18, IS 54:5-14, PS 30:2,4,11-12,13, IS 55:1-11, IS 12:2-3,4,5-6, BAR 3:9-15,32;4:4, PS 19:8,9,10,11, EZ 36:16-17,18-28, PS 42:3,5;43:34, IS 12:2-3,4,5-6, PS 51:12-13,14-15,18-19, ROM 6:3-11, PS 118:1-2,16-17,22-23, MK 16:1-7
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this Holy Night the faithful meet for the greatest liturgy celebrated within the Church year. Out of the darkness, the Easter fire and Paschal candle reveal the glory of the Son of God’s victory over evil and death.
The readings reveal the wonders the Almighty performed for the good of His people from the Creation, to the Passover and, finally, to the Resurrection of Jesus. We also have the joy of welcoming new members of the Body of Christ through the sacrament of Baptism. And we have the opportunity to renew our own vows and meditate on their meaning in daily life. St. Paul wanted every follower of our Redeemer to understand how crucial our faith really is: “We were indeed buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too live in newness of life.… If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him” (Romans 6:4, 8).
For those who have recently learned and embraced the profound reality of Jesus’ life and love, this night is a beautiful treasure. But this is also true for those of us who have spent a lifetime growing in appreciation for His incalculable gift of mercy and salvation. Let us gather at the Communion table to rejoice in the unfailing light of our dear Lord Jesus.
