Easter Vigil
The resurrection of Jesus is the turning point of history that brings about a new creation and a new way of life. Through baptism, believers die to the old life of sin and are reborn into the life of Christ, called to live as light in the world. This new life is not lived alone, but with the constant presence of Christ, who goes before us and frees us from fear.
Listen to Homily here
Read Homily here:
The Lord is risen, alleluia. Alleluia!
Today, my dear brothers and sisters, is an evening of great joy. It is so beautiful to see so many people here this evening as we celebrate what is, for us, the central and most important aspect of our faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which changes everything.
This is a very important night in particular for those here in the RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Each of you has been journeying for many months, preparing for baptism and preparing to enter the Catholic Church. For all of us who accompany you and rejoice with you this evening, this is also an important moment, because at this Mass we affirm our faith in the resurrection of Jesus and recommit ourselves to living our baptismal calling.
In the Church, there are many ways that we speak about the resurrection. We use language like victory, glory, and Christ conquering death. But this evening, in the readings and gestures we have experienced, the Church uses the language of birth and rebirth.
It always brings great joy when parishioners present a newborn baby. Many of you have experienced this, especially those who are parents. There is joy and relief when the baby is healthy and the mother is well. When you see that newborn child, it fills you with joy. There is so much promise and hope in that new life that has come into the world.
Birth and rebirth offer us a powerful image. Throughout the readings and rituals this evening, we are experiencing this theme of new birth.
The first birth we celebrate is that of Jesus Christ into eternal life, into a new form of existence. St. Paul describes Jesus as the “firstborn from the dead.” In our tradition, the tomb of Jesus can be seen as the womb from which Christ is born into this new life.
In the great hymn we heard at the beginning of Mass, we heard the words “O happy fault of Adam, that earned for us so great a Savior.” St. Paul makes this comparison clearly. Before Christ, we were in the lineage of Adam: we sinned, we suffered, we died. But now, in Jesus Christ, the new Adam, something entirely new has entered the world. Christ has risen from the dead and no longer dies. With him, we are being transformed into a new way of life.
One of the most beautiful moments at the beginning of the Easter liturgy is when we enter the darkened church after the blessing of the fire. Then we light our candles from the Easter candle. To see that flame spread throughout the congregation is powerful. Each of us holds that light, the light that Christ brings into our world.
We have heard many readings this evening that tell our story: a history of sin and defeat, but also a history of the victory that Christ brings. In Jesus, there is a new creation. He is the firstborn from the dead, and this is the first birth we celebrate tonight.
We also celebrate another important event: our rebirth in baptism. Later in this liturgy, we will renew our baptismal promises and recommit ourselves to following Jesus. Tonight reminds us of what baptism does. We are blessed to have about seventeen individuals being baptized this evening, which is a great gift for our parish.
To those who will be baptized, I would like to speak the words of St. Paul from Romans 6: “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus 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.”
When we look at the baptismal font, we can see it as both a tomb and a womb. In baptism, we die to the old way of life, the way marked by sin and death. And from that same water, we are born into new life in Christ. As Jesus told Nicodemus, we are born again into eternal life.
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are gradually transformed to become more like Jesus, until that transformation is complete when Christ returns.
We also have among us individuals who were previously baptized in another Christian community. Baptism is so important that it is done only once. These individuals now reaffirm their baptismal commitment and enter into full communion with the Catholic Church through confirmation.
For all of us, this is a moment to renew our baptismal commitment and remember how deeply it changes our lives. We are people who believe in the resurrection and in eternal life, and this changes everything.
The symbols of this evening speak to this new life. Water reminds us of creation, when the Spirit hovered over the waters. Now, in baptism, we are made a new creation.
The newly baptized will receive a white garment, symbolizing that they have put on Christ. They are conformed to Christ as priest, prophet, and king.
In confirmation, they will be anointed with chrism oil, which carries a fragrance meant to remind us of the Holy Spirit. This anointing sends them on mission to proclaim the Gospel and build up the Kingdom of God.
The candle they receive reminds us that we are called to be the light of Christ. Alone, our flame may seem small, but together, we can bring Christ’s light into the world.
Most importantly, in this new life we are not alone. Jesus is always with us.
To those in the RCIA, I offer the words from the Gospel: “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Do not be afraid. You will see him.
There is a prayer we often say: “May Christ, who began the good work in you, bring it to completion.” This reminds us that even the desire to seek God comes from him. God always takes the first step. He invites us, and we respond.
The Lord will be with us. He goes before us. He is present in the sacraments, in Scripture, and in this community that you are entering tonight. For this reason, we do not need to be afraid.
So let us pray in a special way for those about to be baptized, for those entering full communion with the Church, and for all of us, that we may remember deeply our baptism. Through it, we are joined to Christ and transformed.
Let us accept once again our calling to live as his light in the world, without fear, because the Lord is risen and goes before us.
