The angel said: “He has been raised from the dead,” (Matt 28:7). These words of the angel from the Gospel of Matthew summarize why we are here tonight. Tonight we are gathered here to remember the Lord’s Passover from death to resurrection and we call this as the Easter Vigil of the Lord’s Resurrection. The Church invites each one of us to come together in vigil and prayer. Praise the Lord and let us give thanks to the Lord for His is everlasting! He gives His creation, redemptive work which is His suffering and death and the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying influence.
This Vigil Mass is considered to be the First Easter Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. Our faith community has gathered here during this evening to participate in the mystery of the Holy Mass with joy and praises in commemoration of the glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus.
The readings of this Easter Vigil celebration recall and proclaim that mighty acts of God’s love throughout salvation history.
In view of the fact that we heard an unusual large number of Bible readings tonight, I will briefly summarize their meaning. I will just mention some of the readings. The Book of Genesis (1:1-2:2) indicated that everything that God had made, it was very good. Seven times, we heard, “And God saw that it was good,” (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). If God saw that it was good seven times, surely His creation must be very good, all of these serving a purpose in His divine progressive plan.
The Book of Genesis too (22:1-18) reminds us of the event when Abraham obeyed God’s command to go and sacrifice his only son Isaac whom he loved. This was a real test of faith for Abraham. Because he obeyed the Lord at the last minute, the life of his son was spared. In recompense, the Lord promise to Abraham that He would make his offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore (Gen. 22:17) and by his offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessings for themselves (Gen 22:18).
In the Letter of Paul to the Romans (4:3, 9), we are told: “Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.” The same righteousness that Abraham received, it is bestowed upon all those, meaning all of us, “who share the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of man y nations,” (Romans 4:16).
The final reading from the Gospel of Matthew (28:1-10) recounts the event surrounding the glorious Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb early on the Sunday morning, an angel who told them that Jesus had been raised greeted them. Accordingly, the women should go and announce the good news to the disciples, telling them to go to Galilee where they will see Jesus again.
Jesus gives us two things to remember Him always according to Bishop Socrates Villegas in his homily book, Jesus in My Heart, which I would like to share with you tonight.
First is the gift of Hope. That somebody, just like Him we will be resurrected also. This gift is freely given to us.
Every Mass is an opportunity for gift giving. I suppose you and I are here because we all want to give ourselves to God. I will ask you an honest question and I want also an honest answer. After giving a gift to God, what do you expect from Him? If you expect to be spared from all dangers and if you expect to win last two digits or lotto, then, frankly speaking, you did not offer a gift, you have offered a bribe.
Second is to be like Him. The disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians in Antioch fifty years after the resurrection of Jesus. Imagine, fifty years? We became Christians through Baptism. What is so special about being a Christian? It is not simply citizenship in particular country or membership in an organization or club. To be a Christian means, to be another Christ. This is why, the Baptism before was called ‘Christening’ and we are initiated into Christ.
Is there enough proof of our lives to show we are Christians? Since we are Christians, we should speak, act, think, smile like Jesus Christ. If we fail to do so, we fail as disciples of Christ.