Saturday, April 23, 2011

Life and Light arise

Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven.
Psalm 85


Easter, April 24, 2011
Easter Vigil of the Lord’s Resurrection—A

Genesis 1:1-2:2
Genesis 22:1-18
Exodus 14:15-15:1
Isaiah 54:5-14
Isaiah 55: 1-11
Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4
Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 28:1-10

With the dawn of this new day, we celebrate the mystery of our common faith and baptism in the Risen Christ. As we listen to today’s readings, we recall that in Christ, we:

Are the light of the world, created in the image of God.
Are blessed abundantly through the faith of Abraham.
Like the Israelites, have passed through the waters of sin and death to everlasting life.
Are called back from our infidelity to the tender mercy of God.
Seek and call on God, who is always near.
Walk toward splendor by the light of the wisdom of God who comes among us.
Live with God’s spirit within us.
Die with Christ so we may also live with him.
Run with joy to tell the world what we have seen and heard and believe.

So, as we renew our baptismal promises and gather around the table of our Eucharistic Lord on this Resurrection Day, let us illuminate the Church and the world with the One Flame given each of us by Christ. May our hearts shine as children of light so we grow more fully into the Light of the World as the Body of Christ.

As St. Augustine said, “You are the mystery that is placed on the Lord’s table. You receive the mystery that is yourself. To that which you are, you will respond.”

HAPPY EASTER!

4 comments:

Tulle said...

A very Happy Easter Brother Francis.

Easter Vigil was a very very beautiful night for me... full of joy and thankfulness.
After a period of 9 months study and preparation, I was received into full communion in the Catholic Church.
It was an overwhelming and extremely emotional experience... I feel I have to shout to the whole world that my dream has come true, that I am now "at home" and have been made so very welcome in this home.

What a beautiful night... thank you Lord for this precious gift.

(I come from a Protestant background).

Enjoy this lovely Easter Sunday.

Tulle.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

WONDERFUL! I rejoice with you!

Welcome to your dream home ...

Best wishes for an Eastertide bursting with joy! May you run with the women in today's Gospel (Mt. 28:1-10) to joyfully announce the Resurrection. Jesus greets you along the Way.

PAX
Br. Francis

Tulle said...

Thank you so much. I still can hardly believe I finally got to this stage, but I feel so happy to be here. Everything feels different... deeper and much more joyful.
The Easter celebrations have taken on a whole new meaning to me.

Here you can have a look at my beautiful church:

www.sanktansgar.dk

There is an English version.

Peace and love to all at Saint Meinrad.

Tulle.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

A very lovely church!

Ansgar--good monastic name!

PAX
Br. Francis