THE EASTER VIGIL

Saturday April 16, 2022

 

THE EASTER VIGIL

 

I Was There

Liberated and Living in the Covenant of Love

 

 

Structure of the Rite. The Easter Vigil rite harmoniously integrates everything in one continuous celebration that follows the normal structure of the Eucharistic celebration.

 

The Liturgy of the Light is the opening rite of the Mass.

The Liturgy of the Word is an expanded version of the usual Liturgy of the Word, so that we can hear about God liberating his people both in the Old and in the New Testaments; here the Gloria comes after the readings from the Old Testament and before those of the New Covenant to mark our entering into the definitive covenant of joy and life.

After the Gospel and the homily comes the Baptismal Liturgy, everywhere with the blessing of water and the renewal of baptismal vows, and in parishes hopefully with an actual baptism. In the case of the baptism of an adult, if the celebrant has also helped in the preparation for baptism of the candidate, the law itself entitles him to confer also the rite of confirmation, without recourse to the bishop.

Finally comes the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Those participating in it are considered to have complied with the Office of Readings for Easter.

 

General Introduction by the Celebrant or a Commentator

As there is an introduction by the Presiding Celebrant for each part of tonight’s celebration, a suitable lay minister could give the general introduction at the beginning of the service.

 

1. I Was There

The reality of the whole Easter event is so tremendous and real for us that we must relive it as not just an event from the past but something present and real affecting us today. When Jesus died on the cross, I was there and looked up to him. When Jesus died on the cross and was buried, I was there and died and was buried with him, for I have been baptized in his death. When Jesus rose from the dead, I was there with him, for I rose with him to the new life of baptism. When Jesus, as the firstborn from the dead, went ahead of us to the promised land of heaven, I was there with him and I began, with the whole people of God, my journey to the promised land of heaven and I am still on the way in hope. Sisters and brothers,

this is what we relive in this Easter celebration. It is our greatest celebration, for it is the celebration of life and joy.

 

2. Liberated For The Covenant Of Love

Tonight we celebrate the capital central event for Christianity: the libera­tion of God’s people from the slavery of sin, so that they can enter into the new and everlasting covenant whereby God, at his own initiative, binds his people to himself in a deep union of life and love. For God’s people in the Old Testament God saw the hardships they suffered in their slavery in Egypt, liberated them and made with them the covenant through Moses on Mount Sinai. For us Christians, God saw our slavery to sin and our inability to get rid of it. So he sent Jesus, his own Son, to make us free by his death on the cross on Mount Golgotha and by his resurrection. Now we are a free people, capable of love and service and justice. We celebrate this freedom and covenant this very night.

 

PART I: SERVICE OF THE LIGHT

 

Introduction by the Celebrant

Dear People of God: At the beginning of the Jewish Easter celebration the youngest in the group asked: “Why is this night so different from all other nights?” and the head of the family answered: “Tonight we celebrate because once we were slaves under the Pharaoh of Egypt, but the Lord God has set us free and led his people out of Egypt with joy.” When we Christians ask ourselves tonight: “Why celebrate in the dark of the night?” we answer, “We begin our celebration in the dark because we were once slaves in the darkness of sin, but the Lord Jesus has set us free by dying for us on the cross. But in the night of Easter he rose from the dead and brought Us the life of his risen life. There he made us God’s new chosen people and became our light to lead us to the Promised Land.” This is why we light the fire and the Easter candle as we sing our praise and thanks to God.

 

- Then follow the blessing of the fire, the lighting of the Easter candle, the procession into the church and the Exultet.

 

PART II. THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

 

Introduction by the Celebrant

We listen now to the Word of God with open ears and hearts and with great joy. God s Word tonight speaks of the liberation of the people of God, old and new, and therefore how we too have been liberated by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

 

Note. The seven Old Testament readings may be reduced to three. Exodus 14, on the passover from Israel to the Promised Land, should always be among those selected.

 

First Reading • Gen 1:1—2:2: The Beautiful Poem Of Creation

In this first act of salvation, God created order out of chaos and light out of darkness. He created man and woman in his own image and entrusted the earth and its resources to them to develop.

Reading 1: Gn 1:1, 26-31A

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth,
God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, 
the birds of the air, and the cattle, 
and over all the wild animals 
and all the creatures that crawl on the ground."
God created man in his image;
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying: 
"Be fertile and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it.
Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, 
and all the living things that move on the earth."
God also said: 
"See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth 
and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; 
and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, 
and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, 
I give all the green plants for food."
And so it happened.
God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good.

 

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20 AND 22

(5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made;
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask;
in cellars he confines the deep.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down;
he sees all mankind.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

 

Second Reading • Ex 14:15-31: Passing Through The Water To Freedom

This is the story of the night of Israel’s freedom: God led his people out from slavery to freedom through the saving waters and made a covenant with them. We will enter into freedom in Christ through the waters of baptism.

Reading 3: Ex 14:15—15:1

The LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me?
Tell the Israelites to go forward.
And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea,
split the sea in two,
that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land.
But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate
that they will go in after them.
Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, 
his chariots and charioteers.
The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, 
when I receive glory through Pharaoh 
and his chariots and charioteers."

The angel of God, who had been leading Israel's camp, 
now moved and went around behind them.
The column of cloud also, leaving the front,
took up its place behind them,
so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians
and that of Israel.
But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed 
without the rival camps coming any closer together
all night long.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, 
and the LORD swept the sea
with a strong east wind throughout the night
and so turned it into dry land.
When the water was thus divided, 
the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, 
with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.

The Egyptians followed in pursuit; 
all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and charioteers went after them 
right into the midst of the sea.
In the night watch just before dawn 
the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud
upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; 
and he so clogged their chariot wheels
that they could hardly drive.
With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, 
because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians.

Then the LORD told Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, 
that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians,
upon their chariots and their charioteers."
So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, 
and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth.
The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, 
when the LORD hurled them into its midst.
As the water flowed back, 
it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army
which had followed the Israelites into the sea.
Not a single one of them escaped.
But the Israelites had marched on dry land
through the midst of the sea, 
with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.
Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day
from the power of the Egyptians.
When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore 
and beheld the great power that the LORD
had shown against the Egyptians, 
they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.

 

Responsorial Psalm Ex 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18

(1b) Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him.
R.  Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

The LORD is a warrior,
LORD is his name!
Pharaoh's chariots and army he hurled into the sea;
the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea.
R.  Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

The flood waters covered them,
they sank into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power,
your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.
R.   Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

You brought in the people you redeemed
and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance
the place where you made your seat, O LORD,
the sanctuary, LORD, which your hands established.
The LORD shall reign forever and ever.

R/ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

 

Third Reading • Is 55:1-11: Invitation To Paradise Regained 

If we seek the Lord, he will restore us by his free gift of grace and make a new covenant with us. Then we can be his witnesses to all nations and bring them to God.

Reading 5: Is 55:1-11

Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, receive grain and eat;
come, without paying and without cost,
drink wine and milk!
Why spend your money for what is not bread,
your wages for what fails to satisfy?
Heed me, and you shall eat well,
you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully,
listen, that you may have life.
I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,
the benefits assured to David.
As I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of nations,
so shall you summon a nation you knew not,
and nations that knew you not shall run to you,
because of the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked man his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
so shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
my word shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

 

Responsorial Psalm: Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

(3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

 

Introduction before the Gloria and the Opening Prayer.

The candles on the altar are now lit for we enter the New Testament, in which Christ is our light.

 

Opening Prayer

Let us pray that we may follow wholeheartedly

Christ, our light and life

(pause)

Lord our God,

your have brightened this night

with the glorious light of Christ.

Make us rise with him to a new life

of faithful love in the new covenant

and renew us in mind and body

that we may be your loyal sons and daughters

and give you wholehearted service,

together with your risen Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

 

First New Testament Reading • Rom 6:3-11: Risen With Christ

We become part of the death and resurrection of Christ through baptism; there we have taken up the struggle against sin and begun to live the life of Christ.

 

 

Gospel: Lk 24:1-12: The Lord Is Alive And Risen!

The women disciples of Jesus find the tomb empty and do not know what to think. The angel announces to them that the Lord is alive and risen. The apostles have difficulty believing. Yet, with them, we have to be witnesses to the Risen Lord.

 

PART III. THE LITURGY OF BAPTISM

 

Note. If the baptismal font is to be blessed, whether there are actual bap­tisms or not, the Litany of the Saints is sung or prayed. If the font is not to be blessed, there is a blessing of holy water, followed by the renewal of baptismal vows.

 

Introduction by the Celebrant

 

Renewal of Baptismal Vows

Brothers and sisters in Christ in this beautiful night we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By dying he destroyed death for us, by rising he has affirmed our life. In baptism we have died with him to sin but we have not yet won all our struggles against evil and God’s life in us has not yet come to full bloom. This is why the Church invites us again to reject what is against the covenant of love and to promise, as we did in baptism, to live according to its law of service and goodness. We renew our baptismal promises. And so:

Do you reject...

Do you believe...

 

General Intercessions

Where the Litany of the Saints has been used at baptism and/or the blessing of the font, it serves as General Intercessions. Otherwise:

Let us pray to God our Father, who has raised Jesus from the dead, and let us say: R/ Lord, raise us up with your Son.

• For those who have been baptized tonight and for all Christians, that they may remain faithful to their baptismal promises in all circumstances of life, let us pray: R/ Lord, raise us up with your Son.
• For all who suffer and for the dying that their hope and strength may be Jesus, who, through and beyond death, has built a road to new life, let us pray: R/ Lord, raise us up with your Son.
• For all those whose experiences have discouraged or disillusioned them in life, that they may not remain obsessed by the past but look forward to the future with its new prospects and opportunities, let us pray: R/ Lord, raise us up with your Son.
• For all those who have committed themselves to serve the needs of others, that they may keep faith in a better world in which peace and justice are not empty words, let us pray: R/ Lord, raise us up with your Son.
• For all of us gathered here in the joy of Easter, that we may be happy and jovial people who know that God loves us with an enduring love and that we may radiate this love to one another, let us pray: R/ Lord. Raise us up with your Son.

Our God and Father, you call us your son and daughters and that is what we really are. Make us gratefully cooperate with you in the works of your creating and serving love and to look forward in hope to the happiness without end promised us in Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

 

Prayer Over the Gifts

Lord, God of life,

you gather us around this table

to celebrate the Easter meal

of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept with this bread and this wine

the prayers and offerings of your people.

Make our faith firm,

that your Son may continue

to live in us and to lead us to you,

our living and loving God for ever. R/Amen.

 

Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer

Let our joy brim over in this Eucharist as we give thanks to the Father for having saved us by the death and resurrection of Jesus

 

Invitation to the Our Father

Sons and daughters of the Father through baptism

let the joy of the Spirit cry out in us

in Jesus’ own words. R/ Our Father...

 

Invitation to Communion

This is our Risen Lord, who said

and says again to us this night:

“I am the bread of life.

Those who eat my flesh and drink by blood

Have eternal life and I live in them .”

With this faith, come to the table of the Lord

R/ Lord, I am  not worthy….

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord God, our Father,

with joy we have shared

in the Easter meal of your Son.

Through his body and blood you have assured us

that we are destined for eternal life

and that this life is already stirring in us.

Keep filling us with the Spirit of your love,

that we may live in the joy of your one people,

one in heart and mind,

and living for one another and for you,

our God for ever and ever. R/ Amen.

 

Blessing

What an experience of joy

if we have really relived tonight

what we have become through Jesus’ resurrection.

May we keep living in the hope and happiness

of a people that is risen above sin and evil

and live for all that is good and beautiful.

May the almighty and loving God bless you all:

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/Amen.

 

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, alleluia, alleluia!

R/ Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!

 

Commentary

Descent into Hell

 Where did Jesus rise from? From the cross? From the tomb? From the dead? Or from still somewhere unbelievably lower, deeper, darker? Yes, indeed. He just didn't stop with dying. He descended. Into Hell. So says the Creed. He descended to the godless, to share in their godlessness as one among them, as theologian Balthasar commented. The Resurrection does not begin where Good Friday ended; It begins from where Holy Saturday took him—the Hell. God’s kenosis (=self-emptying) goes far deeper than the cross and the tomb, all the way to the farthest depths. Easter begins from the darkest, farthest, lowest point of human tragedies. This gives us hope! For, as Easter icons of the East show, Christ is never risen alone: He carries a bunch of souls—the entire humanity—with him. May Christ help us easter from our hellish depths!

Reflection is taken from Bible Diary 2022;

written by Fr.Paulson Velyannoor, CMF

 

Coffee With God: Wait in patience