Friday, March 25, 2016
HOLY SATURDAY
26 March 2016
HOLY SATURDAY
Vigil of Easter Sunday
White.
Gn 1:1 – 2: 2 / Gn 22:1 – 18 / Ex 14:15 – 15: 1/ Rom 6: 3–11 / Lk 24:1- 12
From the Vigil Reading: Gn 1:1- 2, 31; 2: 1
In the beginning, when God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth had no form and was void; darkness was over the deep and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. . .
God saw all he had made, and it was very good. There was evening and there was morning: the sixth day. That was the way the sky and earth were created and all their vast array.
From the Vigil Reading: Gen 22:1- 2, 15 -18
Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he answered, "Here I am." Then God said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I shall point out to you." . . .
And the Angel of Yahweh called from heaven a second time, "By myself I have sworn, it is Yahweh who speaks, because you have done this and not held back your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the lands of their enemies. All the nations of the earth will be blessed through your descendants because you have obeyed me."
From the Vigil Reading: Ex 14:30 – 31
On that day Yahweh delivered Israel from the power of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore. They understood what wonders Yahweh had done for them against Egypt, and the people feared Yahweh.
From 1st Reading at Mass: Rom 6:3 – 5
You know that in baptism which unites us to Christ we are all baptized and plunged into his death. By this baptism in his death, we were buried with Christ and, as Christ was raised from among the dead by the Glory of the Father, so we begin walking in a new life. It was an image of his death when we were grafted in him and so we will also share in his resurrection.
From the Gospel Reading: Lk 24:1, 4 – 8
On the sabbath the women rested according to the commandment, but the first day of the week, at dawn, they went to the tomb with perfumes and ointments they had prepared. . . Two men in dazzling garments appeared beside them, in fright the women bowed to the ground. But the men said, "Why look for the living among the dead? (You won't find him here. He is risen.) Remember what he told you in Galilee, that the Son of Man had to be given into the hands of sinners, be crucified, and rise on the third day." And they recalled Jesus' words.
The Passion of the Lord according to John.
Reflection
If you patiently and attentively follow the readings for the Easter Vigil, you will see why the symbols of light and water are so appropriate in recalling the life-giving and redemptive action of God in human life. We are taken on a journey in the last two days we were reminded of the darkness of this world where even the Son of God was not spared from the evil designs of men. It is not difficult to see how people continue to be crucified today - - to poverty, corruption, politics, inefficiency and small-mindedness. In this evening's liturgy of light, we are reminded that darkness is part of human experience but the light of God, of his Christ, is here to dispel the darkness.
We begin with the story of God's creation; then the story of Abraham's faithfulness and obedience to God's command to sacrifice his only son Isaac; then the dramatic prefigurement of our redemption in the great exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom by passage through the sea as in dry land.
In the first reading at Mass we hear of our baptism as our participation in Christ's death and resurrection. In the Gospel reading from Luke angels proclaim that Christ has risen as he had said.
We are not redeemed by our own efforts: even the disciples deserted Jesus at his crucifixion, his head follower Peter betrayed him before servant-women. Ours is a history of fear and failure and tonight we remember that, if we have hope, it is only because God hopes in us. We like to say that we are an Easter people, people of hope but it is not we who hope as much as God who hopes in us.
Remember the many instances when God's people turned away from their covenant with God and worshipped false gods. Time and again Israel was unfaithful; time and again God forgave and took them back. God continues to make and fulfill his promises. It is Yahweh who does not lose hope in his people. It is God who continues to hope in us even when we seem so unfaithful and hopeless.
Remember the loving and forgiving father of the prodigal son. That is the kind of love and hope God has for and in us.
Just as God in Jesus has hope in us, so we must be people of hope. If our acts of hope are to be rooted in our Easter faith, then we must remain connected to Jesus. It is he who can give us the grace to set aside our prejudices and biases, our comfort zones and weaknesses and enable us to live as people of hope.
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
Liza Romana
Reyna Rose P. Manon-og
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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