Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)

Reflection

From the Exultet of the Easter Vigil:

Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice, arrayed with the lightning of His glory, let this holy building shake with joy, filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.

Tonight the Church gathers in solemn vigil, awaiting the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the holiest night of the year, and the Easter Vigil Mass is the high point of the liturgical calendar. The Easter Vigil begins with the blessing of the fire. We then process into a darkened church with only the newly blessed Paschal Candle lit. For me, this is always a solemn moment, filled with emotion. When I get to the halfway point of the church, I hoist the candle high and just wait a moment. Every eye in the church is on that small, flickering flame. The light finally reaches the walls of the church. That small flame has pierced the darkness of the church, overcoming it and taking precedence to it. It’s a symbol of Easter!

Through His passion, death and resurrection, Jesus has pierced the darkness of sin, suffering and death. As the candle stands as tall as a sentry against the darkness, so Jesus stares down sin. His resurrection has won. New life, redemption and salvation will have the final say. And so tonight, Mother Church rejoices, bathed anew in the light of Christ. We rejoice, too, as we come to realize what God has done for us in Christ. What love He has for us! Tonight we stand in awe and wonder of God, who graciously redeemed us through His son, Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Risen Jesus, tonight we gather under the Paschal Candle to celebrate Your resurrection.  You rose from the dead that we might have hope and life. Help us remember, Lord, that we are an Easter people. Alleluia! is our song. Let the holy building of the church shake with joy, for You are Lord, and from You all things come. Amen. Alleluia!

Rev. Msgr. Bernard W. Bourgeois, Saint Michael’s College Board of Trustees

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: Luke 24:1-12

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website