EASTER VIGIL

 LIGHT THAT IS RADIANT AND REFULGENT, DISPELS DARKNESS THAT IS STAGNANT AND REPUGNANT

 

EASTER VIGIL, 03 APRIL 2021

1. The Easter Vigil, is a night by contrast. It is no more a night of darkness, but a night where true and full light penetrates. Easter night is a night where the faith-people and faithful people “pass over” from slavery to freedom, from fear to assurance, from sorrow to joy, and from death to life. Easter Night celebrates Christ as our Light. Jesus dispelled the dark shadows of sin, because he is the “Light of the world”.

2. The greatest message and confirmation of Easter is that Jesus our Lord is a living God. He lives. He lives on. He is alive. The Lord who was crucified and died on the cross and was buried, was not finished in the tomb, he had not disappeared into the layers of earth, he was not lost in the past, he was not confined to history as a memory. He conquered death, he rose from the grave, he broke the chains of death, he defeated the forces of Satan and evil. He reigns forever in heaven with power, glory, as God without end, as eternal God.

3. While the Easter night celebrates Christ as our Light, it also confirms our vocation as the children of Light. With The Resurrection of Christ, darkness no longer has a hold on us. We are lit, we are enlightened. We walk firmly in the road of Light. We live in light, we do the works of light. So, We are called to always keep the light on – the light of energy against weakness, the light of courage against discouragement, the light of trust against despair, the light of sincerity against falsehood, the light of integrity against hypocrisy, the light of sensitivity against indifference, the light of humility against pride, the light of optimism against pessimism, the light of forgiveness against resentment, the light of reconciliation against retaliation, the light of generosity against avarice, the light of goodness against evil, the light of grace against sin.

4. This is what the Word of God in Colossians 5.8-11 reminds and exhorts us: “You were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Behave as children of light; the fruits of light are kindness, justice and truth in every form. You yourselves search out what pleases the Lord, and take no part in works of darkness that are no benefit; expose them instead”. Very clearly we are told to keep away from all evil, which is darkness. We are to please the Lord, behaving as worthy children of God and light. Especially we must bear witness as Easter people by bearing abundant fruits of light in living a kind, just and truthful life.

That will be the real and excellent Easter. The risen Lord will give us new strength.

He raises our strength that is often dull and reduced.