EASTER VIGIL: ALLELUIA, CHRIST IS RISEN!

Isn’t it awesome that the Easter Vigil begins with the service of light? The priest (or deacon) lifts the Paschal candle and says, "May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds." Then the Great Easter proclamation (Exultet) echoes, "Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes forever!"

In the Holy week, the church meditates on the victory of Christ over darkness. Somehow, sadness seems to take on the atmosphere following the passion, suffering, and death of Christ. Betrayal! Hatred! Rumors! Injustice! Conspiracy! Falsehood! Denial! Selfishness! Fears! Cheap popularity! Pretense! Isolation! Power! Ambition! Negativity! Those guys work hard to win the game. Good Friday depicts wailing and crying on the streets. Innocence is condemned and truth’s credibility is questioned (Jn.18:38). The Good Friday Passion narrative reads, "The sun's light failed, so that darkness came over the whole land" (Lk.23:44). Yes, sometimes, God makes the devil feel like he can win the battle, only to reveal divine power and supremacy at work. Joy always comes in the morning.

God’s plan from the beginning is to establish the victory of light over darkness. God says at creation, “Let there be light.” The creator sees that light is good and separates light from darkness (Genesis 1:3-7). While leading his people out of Egypt, God reveals the abiding power of light. He forms a pillar of fire in the night to shield the Israelites. God never shifts from his original plan, namely, to deliver his people from the reign of darkness.

Easter celebrates the restoration of God’s plan from the beginning and the fulfilment of divine mission in Christ as captured by the evangelist, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness cannot comprehend it” (Jn. 1:4-5). Christ’s light became too intense for the messengers of darkness as he turned the heat on. The soldiers felt it. The naysayers felt it. Even the tomb could not contain the heat. No wonder the centurion and the guards exclaim to the hearing of everyone, "Surely he was the Son of God!" (Matt. 27:54).

Easter Vigil communicates the powerful message of an empty tomb: “Christ has conquered, glory fills you. Darkness vanishes forever.” Mary Magdalene! Mary, the mother of James! And Salome! All bear witness to the liberating powers of light. They get their light from the Paschal Lamb, the light of the world. These devout witnesses go back to share this light with others. It is the good news of the resurrection, “Christ has risen, glory fills you. Darkness vanishes forever.”  Catholics reenact this as we light each other’s light from the Paschal Candle during the greatest of all vigils in the church's history on Holy Saturday. Christians must turn their faith switch on by plugging into the “control switch.” This ceremony reminds me of the song from childhood, “This Little Light of mine… I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…

Tonight, we sing with the Psalmist, "In your light, Lord, we see light" (Ps 36:9). God’s people are never covered in darkness. Therefore, let Easter restore love, compassion, fairness, and peace in your heart. Let the light of Christ conquer darkness and fear in your heart. Let God’s glory reign ultimately for people to shout…. ALLELUIA, CHRIST IS RISEN!