Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Ferdinand Bajao SVD – Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City
Easter Vigil – Paschal Triduum
Among the dead interred in the ancient underground burial places in Rome, called catacombs, were early Christians.When the Barbarians invaded Rome, they looted the catacombs, thinking that the nobility buried gold, jewelry and treasures with their dead loved ones. Most were disappointed to find in the Christians’ niches only bones wrapped in white cloths. Why?
Our ancestors in the faith considered death as sleep, a resting in the peace of the Lord and awaiting their awakening to new life. Unconcerned about their treasures and money, they awaited the prize of seeing the Lord face to face. They, like the Lord, were wrapped in white cloths or linens, buried as though in slumber while expecting the resurrection of the dead.
Today is Holy Saturday. The preparations in parishes and other religious communities will build up towards the greatest and the highest point of the Church year: Easter. The Vigil tonight is the great anticipation of the Lord’s final crossing from death to life. Tonight, we shall remember the coming of the new creation through, with and in Christ. Tonight, we shall be graced again with the adoption, making us his children as He made Abraham the father of many nations. Tonight, we shall leave Egypt as we pass from slavery to freedom like the Israelites of old making their way through the Red Sea.
The Candle is about to be lit!
In the first reading today, we are reminded of the mystery of formlessness, emptiness and darkness in the beginning prior to the breaking of the first Light to be commanded by God. This speaks of our separation, the darkness of sin, pointing out our death in sin.
The Water is ready!
Saint Paul in the second reading leads us towards the beautiful awakening: For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:9-11). Yes, freedom from sin and freedom from death.
The Promises will soon be renewed!
We are then called to rise from our dormancy and turn away from the Enemy. We may already have received the grace of salvation through the Cross, but we are still called to say Yes to it everyday of our lives, to choose Christ as we continue our steps towards that final Sunday, the eternal first day.
As creation now in silence eagerly awaits the Resurrection, the Church articulates the longing of every heart like that of Mary Magdalene and her companions in the gospel today through some words of the Exultet, this ancient hymn that shall be sung all over the world tonight:
O truly blessed night, worthy alone to know the time and hour when Christ rose from the underworld! This is the night of which it is written: The night shall be as bright as day, dazzling in the night for me, and full of gladness. The sanctifying power of this night dispels wickedness, washes faults away, restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners, drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.
The Alleluia will soon be heard again!
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