Homily Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil Year ABC): Fr. Michael
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(1)Gen1:1–2:2 or 1:1,26-31a; Ps
104:1-2,5-6,10-14,24,35or Ps 33:4-7,12-13,20-22;
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(2) Gen 22:1-18 or22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18; Ps 16:5,
8, 9-11
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(3) Exod 14:15–15:1; Ps Exod 15:1-6, 17-18;
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(4) Isa 54:5-14;Ps 30:2,4-6,11-13;
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(5) Isa55:1-11; Ps 12:2-3,4-6;
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(6) Bar 3:9-15,32–4:4; Ps 19:8-11;
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(7)Ezek 36:16-17a, 18-28;Ps[a] 42:3,5;43:3-4;[b] Isa
12:2-3,4bcd,5-6[c]Ps 51:12-13,14-15,18-19;
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(8) Rom 6:3-11; Ps 118:1-2,16-17,22-23;
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(9)Gospel [Year a] Matt 28:1-10; [Year b] Mark
16:1-7; [Year c] Luke 24:1-12.
Joy in the Risen Lord!
In tonight’s liturgy the Church assembles around the
tomb of Jesus with songs, prayers, and scripture sharing while awaiting his
resurrection. Even though the gathering is a bit long, it is a 4 level joyful
celebration of: the joyful song of exulted with lighted candles symbolism
Christ as the light of the world, the liturgy of the word, baptism and renewal
of promises. Finally, of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the scripture we share again and relive through
the history of our salvation, the covenant, beginning from creation, through
Abraham to events of Christ, particularly his resurrection from the dead, which
we gather tonight to celebrate!
Wonderful and spiritually rich scripture passages. In
Genesis creation stories and in the Psalms God creates lovingly, he orders, he
gives names, he shows mercy, he is kind, and he also forgives. In spite of the
generation of our first parents, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah God calls
and establishes a covenant with Abraham, who in scriptures tonight, is also
willing to sacrifice, go through trials and
give back to God all that God had given him, including his only son
Isaac (Gen 22:1-18). What are you willing to give back to God to make your
relationship with God work? Faith, hope, love, faithfulness, charity to the
poor and the needy or sharing the faith story to others?
Israel’s story is our story. Through these stories we
are reminded that our lives, Israel’s lives belong to God. He alone can use can
write even on a crooked line! This is true in the events of their various
exiles. God alone can hardens Pharaoh’s heart and works through the signs of he10
plagues, uses Assyria and the Babylonians as his instruments. God judges, punishes, rewards, exhorts, in order
to save Israel, as expressed in various prophecies and prophetic passages read
tonight, particularly the prophecies of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Baruch.
What Israel’s prophets long foretold: life, hope,
freedom, salvation, new life is fulfilled tonight in the resurrection of Christ,
witnessed by Paul in Roman 6:3-11. Instructing his Roman Community Paul says,
“Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ (as will be done
tonight) were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through
baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the
glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.”
The baptismal rites and renewal which we celebrate
tonight speaks to this Pauline passage and points to the tomb and resurrection
of Christ which we awaits this holy night. It is night we lay down our fears,
sorrows, uncertainties, frustrations and anxieties of the Good Friday, at the empty tomb and go out to spread the joy
of the glorious resurrection.
Imagine what the initial experience of the empty tomb must have been like for
the early Apostles. I guess, refreshing and amazing to those women,
particularly to Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James and to
others who accompanied them. It must have been amazing to Peter and to the rest
of the eleven as well.
If you were there in the early days what would it
feel like? How do you feel tonight? An amazing God! With the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, everything is possible! Creation is possible. The orderliness
of creation is possible. The hardening of pharaoh’s heart is possible. The
Crossing of the red sea without been hurt is possible. Raising Jesus from the
tomb is possible. Healing is possible! Success in life is possible! Passing
that examination is possible. True reconciliation is possible! Transformation
is possible!
For those corrupt capitals good socio-political
structure is possible! Reaching out to the poor, the aged, and the needy, as
stressed by Pope Francis, more than before is possible! Justice is possible!
As we gather around Christ’s empty tomb this
holy night may we be reassured of the hope, the transformation, and the new
life that the light of the resurrection of Christ brings us. May we be reassured of his presence in our
homes, families, churches, offices, journeys, and work places? As we pray for our brothers and sisters,
victims of terrorism d around the globe, may we continue to trust in
his protective care? May we as baptized and believers be joyful and be
reassured of eternal life in heaven after our pilgrimage here on earth!
Reflection Questions:
1. What
gives you joy!
2. What
aspect of today’s scripture reading or levels of celebration impact you most?
3. What
is the meaning of the resurrection for you and how do you share this with
member of your faith community?
