The forty days of Lent have come to an end, and tonight we gather to celebrate the Easter Vigil. This is the Solemnity of solemnities; the mother of all feasts in the Holy Catholic Church. It is the most sacred night of our faith: the night of light, the night of new life, the night of victory. From darkness to light, from death to life, God reveals His saving power. As we keep vigil at the tomb of Jesus, we remain watchful and ready to welcome the Risen Lord alive, victorious, and immortal.
Two powerful signs help us enter into the meaning and mystery of the Resurrection:
The first sign is fire, which becomes light. In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light.” Light is a universal symbol of understanding, truth, and freedom from darkness and bondage. As we began this Vigil with the solemn Service of Light, we were reminded that Jesus is the Light of the world, who dispels all darkness and illumines our path just as the pillar of fire once guided the Israelites to the Promised Land. As we processed into the darkened church, the flame of the Paschal Candle spread among us, becoming a sign of Christ, the true Morning Star who never sets; the One in whom light has conquered darkness.
The second sign is water. Everywhere, water signifies renewal, purification, and the restoration of life. Through water and the Holy Spirit, we are reborn as children of a new creation. Tonight, in the solemn blessing of the baptismal font; when the Paschal Candle, symbol of the Risen Christ, is dipped into the water, we are reminded of our own Baptism. We renew our baptismal promises, rejecting sin and professing our faith. Through the waters of Baptism, our sins are washed away, and we are made new, living as children of God in the Holy Spirit. Tonight, water becomes for us a living spring; life giving and grace-filled; an image of the sacrament through which we share in the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Apart from these two signs, we also have another essential element: The Word of God. The readings we have listened to tonight each unfold and illuminate the meaning of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. They guide us through the history of salvation from creation, through the call and liberation of Israel, to the witness of the prophets – all pointing ever more clearly to Jesus Christ.
We began with the story of creation, where God brings order out of chaos and light out of darkness. This reminds us that God is always at work, even in the darkest moments of our lives, bringing forth something new and beautiful. Though sin entered the world through Adam, Christ, the new Adam, rises from the dead to inaugurate a new creation.
In the story of Abraham, we encounter a profound example of faith and trust. Abraham was willing to offer everything to God, and God, in turn, provided. This teaches us that God never abandons those who place their trust in Him. Just as Abraham was asked to offer his son Isaac, God the Father gave His only Son for our salvation. Accepting the Resurrection of Christ, therefore, becomes the true test and foundation of our faith.
In the Exodus (Ex 14:15–15:1), God delivers His people from slavery into freedom. The crossing of the Red Sea becomes a powerful symbol of salvation; a passage from bondage to liberty. In the same way, the Resurrection of Christ frees us from the slavery of sin and death and leads us into new life.
Through the prophet Ezekiel (Ez 36:16–28), God promises a new heart and a new spirit. He speaks of cleansing His people, removing their impurities, and renewing them from within. This promise is fulfilled in Christ, whose Resurrection purifies us and makes us a new creation.
In the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul reminds us that through baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Our old self is buried, and we rise to a new life, living no longer for sin but for God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, in the Gospel (Mt 28:1–10), the women come to the tomb and find it empty. The new tomb in which Jesus was buried was found empty. It was a new tomb; hence there was no mix up of bodies. The Roman guards who were there also bore witness to the fact of the empty tomb. St. John in the Gospel gives us “the experience of the empty tomb as a sign of Jesus’ Resurrection to life. Jesus is risen; he is not there. Mary Magdalene runs back to tell the disciples that the Lord’s body is not in the tomb. The ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’ and Peter ran to the tomb and, although the ‘beloved disciple’ got there first, out of respect he let Peter go in before him. St. John tells us that the beloved disciple also entered into the empty tomb, and “he saw and he believed.” He believed that the Lord is risen indeed.” Here the answer to the question “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? is, “the empty tomb.” The message resounds with hope and victory: “He is not here; He has been raised.” Death has been conquered. Christ is alive.
My dear brothers and sisters, with great joy let us proclaim: “Christ is risen from the dead!” Let “Alleluia! Alleluia!” be our song each day, for we are now “Easter people”. By His resurrection, Jesus has conquered death, and this victory is the very foundation of our faith. It assures us of our own resurrection, proclaims the forgiveness of our sins, and calls us to eternal life. Therefore, we are invited to move from fear to faith, from doubt to hope, and from death to life. Let us take a moment to recognize what holds us captive; whether sin, fear, or unhealthy habits; and allow God to lead us into true freedom. Like the women at the tomb, let us go forth and share this Good News through our words and our lives.
May this celebration be the beginning of a renewed and disciplined commitment to prayer, sacrifice, and charity, nurtured during our Lenten journey. Also, may it strengthen our faith and fill our hearts with the joy of the Risen Lord. Alleluia!
By: John C. Mubanga, M.Afr.