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!