Easter Vigil. 4 Apr 26 Light of Lingering Love
Exodus 12:1-8,11-14; Psalm 116; 1Cor 11:23-36; John 13:1-15
The Light of Love lingers.
Tonight, with the blessing of fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle, the most prominent highlight is the triumph of the light of Love that overcomes darkness and endures. The Readings explore how, from the very beginning, God intended for us to live in the brightness of light by creating it. However, through the ages, human weakness has obscured the divine light. Heart and mind, lifestyle, and even the very life of faith have become muddled. Yet, nothing compares to the Light of God’s Love.
And tonight, the Risen Christ restores this as foretold and foreshadowed throughout history.
The Risen Lord brings the Light of Love that comforts and emboldens. His first message is meant to soothe the weary heart—“Do not be afraid.” It renews the faith and dispels the darkness of death that shrouds the heart and mind.
Then, the Risen Lord commands Mary Magdalene, the Apostle of the Apostles, “Go quickly.” He commands her. If, during His public ministry, after healing the sick, Jesus instructed, “Tell no one,” now, in the fullness of time, the Risen Lord orders: “Go quickly and tell…” Let the Light of Love spread swiftly!
So tonight, as we renew our Baptismal promises, let us claim the newness of life that the Risen Christ gained for us, urging us: Go quickly!
After Christ, as Bread of Love and Life, truly nourishes us, now Christ, the Light of Love, energizes us!
As we partake in the Eucharistic Lord and become what we receive—the Body of Christ—in union with the entire People of God, the communion of saints, with active body and spirit, we hear: GO quickly! The Risen Lord commands us. It’s more than how Moses mobilized the People of Israel to escape Egypt. Now, it’s not just one Prophet but all the baptized People of God, sharing in the prophetic mission of the Risen Lord, who are called to act. “Go. Tell.” But first, not to anyone else, but into ourselves—tell my heart, “away with all the fears and doubts that the Evil One has sown in me!” … tell my limbs, Go quickly. The Risen Lord has renewed me!
But, remember, we can only do this if we first heed the Lord’s call on Holy Thursday night, “Stay with me…” For it is only His love that we are to carry around within us, only the Light of His Love that we should spread and should linger among us. The Risen Lord sends us. It is now our turn. For yes, as the Medieval exhortation, attributed to St Teresa of Avila, says,
Christ has no hands…
He has only our hands to do His work today.
Christ has no feet…
He has only our feet to guide men along His path.
Christ has no lips…
He has only our lips to announce Him to the men of today.
Christ has no means…
He has only our help to lead men to Himself.
We are the only Bible that people still read
We are the last message of God
Written in words and in deeds.
Every grace now flows to us through the Risen Lord. All celebration of holiness flows from this Holy Night of nights!
The Light of Love lingers. Jesus ensures that the light of love remains by exhorting us not only to remember but also to continuously make Him present among us, for us, with us, and through us—God’s beloved people, for Love Lingers.
Let the Light of Lingering Love, of God’s Love, dispel all the darkness around us, within us.
Let the Light of Lingering Love shine on us and through us …
“That in all things, God may be glorified.” (1 Peter 4:11 / RB 57.9)
