It is at the Easter Vigil that adults enter into the life giving waters of baptism. From these baptismal waters we received the forgiveness of sins, we were incorporated into the life of the Church, and we were brought into relationship with Christ. Today we have two, already baptized, who now wish to be received into the life of the Church and thus they will be confirmed and be nourished at the altar of sacrifice for the first time by Christ’s Body and Blood.
Later in this liturgy all of us will have the opportunity to renew our baptismal promises. This is important because none of us have perfectly lived up to what was begun in us at our baptism. Yet, despite our sinfulness, Christ dies upon the cross for us and rises on the third day. Yes, we have reached the culmination of salvation history with Christ and thus we are continually called into relationship with Him.
These readings which unfolded in the liturgy of the word remind us of this history of salvation. We are shown how God created us out of love, we are told about a covenant entered into with Abraham, and we are told about the Israelites exodus from Egypt. Yet, despite all of these good things we continuously turned away from God and His love for us. Thankfully God’s love continues to endure to the point where He takes on our human flesh, surrenders Himself upon the cross out of love for us, and raises on the third day.
What we celebrate on this night is the reminder of this love which God has for us. We begun this liturgy in darkness, but from this darkness came forth the light of a flame. Sin and death are realities that we must face, but this liturgy serves as a reminder that despite these realities Christ’s light always shines brightly. The darkness cannot overcome the brightness of this flame and thus too sin and death cannot overcome the brightness of Christ.
In our Gospel we are told that Mary Magdalene brought spices to the tomb in order to anoint Christ. She expected to find Him dead and yet from her sorrow soon came joy. She instead encounters an angel who says: “Do not be amazed: For Jesus of Nazareth has been raised.” With our encounter with Christ on this night may we too come to encounter this same transformation of mind that Mary Magdalene underwent.
As we come to rejoice during this Easter season (as Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and other followers of Christ would soon come to rejoice) may we keep in mind these many lessons which are taught to us on this night. May we always remember that to be baptized is the start of a daily journey to stay close to Christ. May we always remember that sin must be banished from our life because it destroys our relationship with Christ. May we always remember that from the crosses that we are forced to bear in this life that something greater will come through the penetrating light of our Lord’s resurrection.
