W hether for the first time or after many times, whoever comes to this blessed Vigil tonight cannot help but thrill in beholding the Easter candle's flame, spreading from candle to candle, filling and flooding the place in which we gather on this holy night. This quiet, but dramatic gesture reminds us that there are to be no spectators tonight, but only participants, all sharing in the blessed light, the blessed Life, that is Jesus risen from the dead.
The Easter Vigil Readings
Gospel Mk 16:1-7 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, "Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.'"
M editation by Rev. Richard Gabuzda
Into Union with Him
For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. Whether for the first time or after many times, whoever comes to this blessed Vigil tonight cannot help but thrill in beholding the Easter candle's flame, spreading from candle to candle, filling and flooding the place in which we gather on this holy night. This quiet, but dramatic gesture reminds us that there are to be no spectators tonight, but only participants, all sharing in the blessed light, the blessed Life, that is Jesus risen from the dead.
St. Paul's language puts this so boldly and moves us to confess clearly that the Resurrection is not an event "out there," something which happened merely to Someone else. It is meant to be our experience. But how does this happen? The resurrection experience happens only for those who have "grown into union with him," with Jesus, "through a death like his." We cannot "make this happen," we can only receive it, through, with and in Jesus. But it surely must come through "a death like his."
Perhaps this Lent has been for us a journey into "death," into letting go of things, circumstances, perhaps even people who have blocked the path of Life, and have prevented our growing "into union" with Jesus. If so, the promise of this holy night burns brightly: you, too, shall live! Perhaps this Lent has found us "holding on for dear life," clinging to other loves and satisfactions that still block our path. The Risen Jesus calls to us: Do not be afraid. Die with me, so that with me you may have life!
For those who come to the baptismal waters tonight, Jesus truly makes them one with him, in his dying and rising. For those who renew their baptismal promises, Jesus promises that we can grow deeper still, into union with him.
Supplementary Reading
Has God Passed Me By? By Billy Graham
Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Q: Many years ago, when I was a teenager, someone took me to hear an evangelist. At the time, I really felt I ought to respond to his call to give my life to Jesus, but I resisted and turned my back on God. Will I ever have another chance, or has God passed me by? - K.M.
A: It is never too late to turn to Christ - never. One of the Bible's greatest truths is that God will forgive anyone who turns to Christ for forgiveness and trusts Him alone for their salvation, no matter what their past has been.
How is this possible? It is possible solely because God loves us and yearns for us to be His friends forever. He doesn't want for us to be alienated from Him! Even if we ignore Him almost our whole lives, He still is ready to receive us - if we will receive Him. The Bible says, "You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you" (Psalm 86:5). This is why I urge you not to let another day go by without Christ.
Don't misunderstand me, however; it would have been far better if you had heeded the Holy Spirit's prompting and given your life to Christ as a young person. Think how different your life would have been - walking with God every day and finding strength to meet life's challenges. You also ran the risk of dying without Christ and His salvation.
By a simple prayer of faith do now what you should have done years ago, and give your life to Christ. It won't change the past - but it will change the future. The Bible says, "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
GOD BLESS US ALL!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM.. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
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