The Easter Vigil is the high point of the celebration of the Easter Triduum. It is the night of the Passover of the Lord, his passage from the darkness of death into the radiant glory of eternal life. Tonight’s liturgy began with the blessing of the new fire by Bishop Michael Smith and the preparation of the Paschal candle. The candle was carried through the Cathedral by Fr. Pádraig McMahon chanting “lumen Christi”, as light spread throughout the congregation. The Exsultet was then sung by Fr. Robert McGivney.
During the Liturgy of the Word, Joe Sullivan read from Book of Genesis, which told the story of creation, an account of how and why all things came to be. The heavens and the earth exist by the will of God. In the second reading, which Aoife Hunt read from the Book of Exodus, we heard how God appointed Moses to lead the Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt, into freedom – passing through the Red Sea, poised to enter the Promised Land. An even greater freedom is won, we heard from the Epistle read by Megan Kirk, which speaks of participation in Christ’s death and Resurrection through Baptism, by which we have become children of God.
Easter water was blessed by Bishop Smith. The people renewed their Baptismal promises were sprinkled with the new water as a reminder of Baptism. Jane and Patrick Creevy from Bellview Heights, Mullingar presented their four month old daughter Grace to be welcomed into the Christian Community through Baptism. Thus she became the newest member of the Cathedral parish.
Excerpt from the presentation by Cardinal Luis Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, at the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin (2012)
Jesus is alive. He is truly raised from the dead! He is with us now. His presence in our world is a living presence.
Jesus continues to visit the homes of many Martha’s and Mary’s of our time to enjoy a restful meal. Jesus continues to weep at our tombs the way he did at the tomb of Lazarus his friend. He continues to quietly call on the Zacchaeuses of our age to pay back what they have stolen. He continues to have compassion for widows who carry their children to the grave. He continues to see the hungry crowds and asks us to feed them with our five loaves and two fish. He continues to welcome the weary and heavy burdened to find rest in Him. He continues to cry out to God with those who suffer, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?”
Please do not say we have not seen, heard, looked upon and touched Jesus. Yes, we have. We all will have stories of Jesus to tell for He has risen and He speaks to us each day and shares our lives.
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