When I first reflected on this year’s Easter Vigil, I felt a very slight disappointment for a very brief moment. I recalled the community members who, just the night before, received sacraments as new members of the Body of Christ, and I somewhat envied their new, fresh beginning. This fresh start in their renewed walk with Christ. How exciting that must be! Thankfully, that unfounded envy quickly turned to joy when I reminded myself of what I already clearly knew. This renewed beginning is of course for all of us. The entire Triduum calls us, invites us, to reclaim our full life in Christ. The joy is complete, and the joy is ours to share. We, like the women in the Gospel (Lk 24:8), are to remember His words of life.
The abundant joy at the Easter Vigil I attended engaged all our senses. We first gathered outside as sisters and brothers in Christ and felt the warmth of the fire and of each other. As pilgrims with great hope and anticipation, we then journeyed inside together. The purifying aroma of the incense marked extraordinary moments. The sounds of the lectors’ and the celebrant’s voices, the new members’ promises, and the grand, emotional music filled the air and our hearts. The visible grace of individual candle flames held by many gave way to the full light of glory. And receiving the healing Body of Christ nourished us as only Jesus can. The joy was indeed palpable.
Our mission this Easter season and beyond is to linger in this joy and keep it in the forefront. Even within the challenges of our lives, the joy of the Resurrection is in us and for us. And though this joy does not remove our personal conflicts or struggles, it does offer us renewed hope and strength to have the trust and faith we need. Even more, this joy is the joy of being fully loved by God. The Easter Vigil Epistle reading reminds us “…so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.” (Rom 6:4) Newness of life for all of us. How exciting that must be!
Journeying to Grace 