Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)
Holy Saturday dawns with the Lord lain in his tomb as the Church meditates on his Passion and Death. Indeed, this is one of the few days where the Church does not celebrate Mass at all, with Communion distributed only to those in danger of death. As the sun sets on this day however, the waters of life begin to flow again as the light of Christ is lit during the Easter Vigil. The full course of readings for this solemn celebration represent nothing less than a recapitulation of the whole of Salvation History with seven readings from the Hebrew scriptures giving testimony to the reality that the Lord never abandoned God’s people to the domain of death, but instead offered covenants and prophets to teach the people to look forward to salvation. The story reaches its crescendo when the Church hears from St. Paul that though we share in Christ’s death by facing the struggles and challenges of this world, we shall also live with and rise with him at the end.
The Resurrection moment arrives with the proclamation of Matthew’s Gospel account. The stone of the tomb is rolled away, as all the stones of death are banished by the light and joy of Christ. The two Marys, representing the Church on earth, run to proclaim this Good News to all, while Christ himself appears to exhort us to not be afraid. This moment of Easter triumph is the core of the Christian experience, this celebration of life is the foundation that underpins all that we do.
Prayer
Fr. Michael R. Carter, S.S.E., ’12
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 12:2-6
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
