CHRIST IS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!
The symbolism behind the Easter Vigil is most beautiful. Here we come to reflect heavily the symbolism of darkness and light as well as death and new life.
Throughout our country and world we have been thrust into a great period of darkness. As this Mass continues this darkness seemingly continues. Thankfully, we have a shining light which shines brightly in the midst of this darkness through Christ our Lord and this shining light comes to dispel the darkness of sin and despair.
Christ shines upon us this night and gives us the virtue of hope. Hope is found in the midst of all that we endure in this valley of tears for the end is not the tomb, but life everlasting. The cross was not the end, but from it sprung forth the Good News of our Lord’s Resurrection.
Those who came to the tomb of our Blessed Lord did not expect to see Him alive. Yet He prevailed Himself to them as He continues to prevail Himself to us saying, “do not be afraid.” I must admit that when we are out of control and don’t know what will happen to us next it is easy for us to lose faith and be afraid. Nevertheless, the Lord’s Resurrection is the assurance that from the cross something greater will always come.
Now we continue to endure the fear that comes from this virus. Sadly, our church was not able to be opened for the public celebration of the Mass. Nevertheless, this celebration of Easter continues. No matter how many crosses that we are forced to bare our Lord triumphs over the tomb and says: “do not be afraid.”
It is my hope that during this trying time that we will come to love the Lord our God more fervently. That we will not take the Eucharist lightly. That we will continue to rebuke sin and frequent the sacrament of confession. The disciples who interacted with the Risen Lord did not have a one and done experience, but instead gave their life entirely over to Him.
