You Will See Him

Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid!  I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.  He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’  Behold, I have told you.”  Matthew 28:5-7

Piety

Father, roll away the stone that blocks us from being active participants in your story. Brother Jesus, appear to us in all Your radiance so that our eyes might be opened and lead to our hearts being opened. Send your Spirit to speak to us in the present moment of our lives so that we might know the mission You have for us and our hands fulfill your promise.    

Study

The nine readings for the Holy Saturday night vigil mass present to us the arc of salvation history.  From the mystery of creation to the mystery of the Resurrection, the Scriptures present all the highlights.  What makes these episodes and the overall history all the more significant and remarkable to me is that we (all of humanity) are a part of them.  All of them. 

In each story, we have been gifted with all that we need from water and food to everlasting water and everlasting food. In each and every reading, the one common word is “you.” 

“You” represents the dialogue and exchange between the Lord and ourselves. Despite our selves, God still chooses to keep us as a part in the Greatest Story Ever Lived.  God addresses us as a member of the family.  We address the Lord as a member of the family.  It is at once the Lord’s story and our story.  It would never happen without Him.  Yet also, it would never happen without you – whether you want to be a part of it or not.

Action 

At the vigil tonight or on Easter Sunday morning, you continue to be a part of this story when you attend, hold a candle, sing, sit, stand, kneel, listen and ultimately, when you go in peace to love and serve the Lord and all humanity. 

You take part when you welcome people to your home in hospitality, when you help a stranger, when you help a member of your family.  You take part when you pray in private and when you pray in community.  You take part even when you refuse to take part.  That’s just the way the story goes.  

Put yourself into the Easter mystery every day.