PASCHAL VIGIL 2007

Genesis 1:1-2:2

Genesis 22:1-18

Exodus 14:15-15:1

Ezekiel 36:16-28

Romans 6:3-11

Luke 24:1-12

“ Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember what he said to you….”

After six and a half weeks of our Lenten journey from its beginning on Ash Wednesday, after many efforts at reading and fasting and prayer – some successful and some miserable failures – after major liturgies for the Sundays of Lent, after all the powerful events of this past week, especially these last three days, we are led to the empty tomb and the words of the angel: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember….”

My brothers and sisters, believe the women when they tell you the tomb can not hold him, believe even me, the least of the servants of our God, who proclaims to you: “Christ has risen. He has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon.” Believe what you have experienced and remember. Remember all you have seen and heard these forty plus days. Remember all you have seen and heard this Night of Nights.

Remember the darkness of the empty parking lot. Remember the quiet and the electrified air, filled with hope and expectation. Remember the darkness pregnant with a fullness about to be revealed. And then the spark was struck and burst into a mighty conflagration. And from that New Fire a single light was lit and a clear voice cried out: Christ our Light! Christ is risen indeed and is here among us. Remember. Remember how we followed that light as a pillar of fire to this darkened church. How from that single light our own lights were lit and this church became ablaze with the brilliance of many candles. Remember. Remember how we heard those glorious words:

“Darkness vanishes forever…the risen Savior shines upon you”

Remember how we were commanded: “Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God's people.” Remember. Remember how we listened to the story of our first creation, how God's Spirit hovered over the darkness and that original voice was heard: “Let there be light.” Remember how everything that God had made was pronounced “Very good.” Remember how we shared in the unwavering faith of Abraham, called to sacrifice what was most dear. Remember how we were there when Moses parted the waters at God's command and we went dry-shod through the sea. Remember the promise of the Prophet Ezekiel that we would be sprinkled with clean water and be given a new heart – a heart of flesh in exchange for our heart of stone. Remember. Remember the words of the apostle Paul that we have been buried with Christ and raised to newness of life.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” “Why do doubts arise in your minds?” Remember. Remember the words you have heard. Remember the experiences you have had. Remember the commitments you have made.

Christ lives there in your hearts. Turn to him.

Christ is alive, alleluia! We live again in his joy!

And Christ lives in the heart of the brother or sister next to you. Turn to him there and seek the living one among the living and not among the dead. Seek him in living people, not in dead works or in inert buildings.

Christ is alive, alleluia! We live again in his joy!

There is still so much more to experience this night: renewal of baptismal promises, sharing in the Paschal sacrifice, receiving once again the living Christ in bread and wine. Remember. Remember. Remember. Keep that mystery alive in your hearts and share it with one another.

Blessed Easter.

Amen.