THE GREAT EASTER VIGIL: A PASCHAL RELIGION
By Rev. F. Emeka K. Agboeze, OCD
V/ My eyes are turned to you, O Lord.
R/ You are the joy and gladness of my youth.
V/ Grant me the Wisdom that sits by your throne.
R/ That I may dwell as a child in your presence.
Let us pray
O God, who make this most holy night radiant with the glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, stir up in Your Church a spirit of adoption. Renew us in body and mind that we may render You a pure service and come to the joy of the new life in Christ. Amen.
Genesis 1:1–2:2; Exodus 14:15–15:1; Romans 6:3–11; Matthew 28:1–10 (and selected readings)
We have finally come to the climax of Holy Week, the acme of the Paschal Triduum: the Easter Vigil which, according to the Roman Missal, “is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities.” In this most glorious night, every major part of the liturgy speaks to us about the Passover, which we now relive and identify ourselves with.
The first part of the liturgy is the Service of Light, in which we pass over from darkness to light. This is called the cosmic Passover, recalling the original experience of the universe at creation (“Let there be light”) and now proclaiming Christ as the true Light of the World whose Resurrection illumines the faithful assembled in darkness. The second part is the Liturgy of the Word, in which we relive the historical Passover of the chosen people from slavery to freedom, as well as the journey of the People of God from the Old Testament to the New.
Next comes the Baptismal Liturgy, the Passover of the catechumens who are led from an old life to a new life in Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:17), thanks to the waters of baptism in which they are purified. Finally, we reach the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Passover of Christ, in which we commemorate His transition from death to Resurrection and are invited into communion with Him. He offers His life by dying, and we receive that life as the fruit of His Resurrection.
The celebration of this night helps us look at the events of these past few days, which succinctly express the essential features of our faith. Christianity is, in this sense, a Paschal religion. Broadly speaking, every religion is built on at least four pillars:
The Nature of God: Revealed on Good Friday as a God who takes flesh, suffers, and dies.
Moral Teaching: “A new commandment I give you, love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34).
Worship: The Eucharist, established on Holy Thursday, where we gather in obedience to His command: “Do this in memory of me” (Lk 22:19).
The After-life: Based on the Resurrection we proclaim tonight—the belief that our mortal bodies shall be glorified like Christ’s (cf. Phil 3:21).
If others see their faith as a religion of peace, we Christians understand ours to be a religion of love. It is out of love that God became man; it is in love that we relate to one another; and our worship is a communion of love. As the saints of Carmel show us, our goal is to grow in this love. St John of the Cross teaches us to detach from what is not God; St Teresa of Avila invites us to the interior journey to encounter God within; and St Thérèse of Lisieux boldly affirms: “My vocation is Love.”
Considering all that God has given me during this season, do I truly love Him above all things? How grateful am I for the gift of salvation?
Prayer
Lord of Glory, we thank You for the victory of this night. May the light of the Risen Christ dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds. Help us to live as children of the light, always grateful for the gift of salvation and eager to share Your love with the world. Alleluia! Amen.
Reflective Questions
- In what ways have I experienced a “Passover” in my own life—moving from a place of spiritual darkness or “slavery” into the light of Christ?
- Do I recognise the Eucharist not just as a ritual, but as the supreme act of love and communion with my Creator?
- How can I practically live out the “vocation of love” in my family and community starting tomorrow?
Practice
Renew your baptismal promises in your heart today by making a deliberate act of rejection against a specific habit of sin, and then perform one “resurrection act”—a gesture of kindness that brings hope to someone in despair.
Phrase to remember
“Our religion is a Paschal religion, and our vocation is Love.”