Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)

Reflection

There is a poignant moment in the Easter Vigil when the proclamation of the Resurrection story renews in us the hope we first received in our baptism into Christ.  As the Letter of Paul to the Romans makes clear, we have been buried with Christ so that we may rise with Christ to new life.  The story of humanity told in the Easter Vigil, the story of humanity’s creation and the story of humanity’s relationship with God throughout the ages, reflects our own story.  In our coming to birth, we are born into a humanity in need of salvation.  In our baptism, we are made part of a new humanity, born of water and the spirit, that has been redeemed through the waters of baptism.  During the Easter Vigil, we recount how we have been healed—cleansed of sin—in our baptism.

The story of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, as told by Matthew in his Gospel, poses for us the same issue that the women who came to the tomb that Easter morning faced.  Their search for Jesus led them to an empty tomb, the place where Jesus was no longer.  The women are told by the angel to seek Jesus elsewhere, in Galilee.  In another Gospel, the question is posed, “Why look for Jesus among the dead.”  This can be for us a moment of renewal if we are willing to take all that is empty in our lives—all that is dead in us—and search in other places where indeed Jesus can be alive for us.  Our prayer life, our spiritual journey, and even the routine of our days can be as empty as the tomb.  Continuing to search for Jesus where He no longer is may be for us a misdirected purpose or a fruitless search.  Our call this Easter season can be a time to connect our journey with the journey of Jesus’ disciples who are told to go to Galilee where they will see Jesus again.  The question for us:  Where do we need to go to meet Jesus?

Prayer

I pray, O Lord, that I may find You in places that are filled with life and love.  Lead me, Lord, to where You are so that I may be renewed and refreshed.  In Your Resurrection, raise me up to new life.  This I pray in name of Jesus, risen from the dead, the first of many sisters and brothers who live in newness of life.  Amen.

Fr. David Théroux, S.S.E. ’70,

Edmundite Center for Faith and Culture/Peace and Justice

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a

Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35 or Psalm 33:4-7, 12-13, 20, 22
Second Reading: Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Psalm 16:5, 8-11
Third Reading: Exodus 14:15—15:1
(Psalm) Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18
Fourth Reading: Isaiah 54:5-14
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
Fifth Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11
(Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-3, 4-6
Sixth Reading: Baruch 3:9-15, 32—4:4
Psalm 19:8-11
Seventh Reading: Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3-4
Eighth Reading: Romans 6:3-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website