Word to the Wise
Saturday, March 30, 2024 - Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter - ABC
[Use at least three, or up to seven readings from the OT, but always include #3: 1) Gen 1:1-2:2 or 1, 26-31a 2) Gen 22:1-18 or 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 3) Exod 14:15-15:1 4) Isa 54:5-14 5) Isa 55:1-11 6) Bar 3:9-15, 32-4:4 7) Ezek 36:16-17a, 18-28; NT Reading: Rom 6:3-11 Response after the Epistle: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 [refrain: triple Alleluia""]"; Gospels for Years A, B, C: A- Matt 28:1-10 B- Mark 16:1-7 C- Luke 24:1-12,58]We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus. [Romans]
In parishes across our country and elsewhere, men and women who have expressed a desire to join the Catholic communion and have participated in the programs of participation popularly known as "RCIA," will become members of our Church. Some (Catechumens) will be baptized. Some will have come to us from other Christian traditions ("converts") and will make, along with the Catechumens, the Profession of Faith. And some will have been baptized in our communion but never "confirmed." All will make the Profession of Faith and "receive communion." They are all living symbols of what the Easter Candle symbolizes: the light of the Risen Christ.
The beauty and power of the Vigil service can be witnessed in the faces of those who are received (or even welcomed back) into our Church. As St. Paul teaches us, they have received a new life, a new light. Because, in large parishes, the number of those to be received into full communion can be large, the service may be long and many parishioners avoid attending it. If they could, at least, find a televised or videotaped version of the first part - the lighting of the Easter candle, then some understanding of the power of the Vigil service can be gained. It is a celebration of the power of faith. Christ has conquered the power of death. The scriptures lay out the broad plan of salvation which culminates in the death and resurrection of the Lord and his command to preach this to the whole world.
Easter Sunday brings the cultural fun of bunnies and eggs and even baby chicks. But Easter Monday brings Jesus' challenge to preach to that same culture the message of his death and resurrection. What we have received, we are challenged to share! CHRIST IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! AMEN!