Tomb of Christ, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem (Getty Images)
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with Him in glory.” Col 3:1-4
As we spend this unusual Easter in quarantine, isolated from our Church community, unable to receive the Eucharist, we are experiencing something similar to the hidden life that the Apostles experienced. On that first Easter morning, they were all hidden away in fear for their lives. Only a few women dared to venture out to try to anoint the body at the tomb. None of them yet understood “the scripture that He had to rise from the dead” (Jn 20:19).
The first Christians celebrated Masses in the dark, in hiding, often in the Catacombs on the tombs of the martyrs. We remember how that darkness was overcome by Christ when, in the liturgy of the Easter vigil, the symbolic light of Christ is enkindled from the Easter fire and spreads out through the dark Church, passed silently from one candle to another; from one witness to another. This year, this beautiful liturgy will be celebrated in our homes, with our families, or in isolation this year, without congregations or sacraments: streams of grace streamed online.
This year, if you have never attended the Easter vigil, watch online or on television if you can. This Easter, celebrate in the darkness on the eve of the Resurrection, because “This is the night when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of sin!”
This Easter, remember Christ’s promise and rejoice, because “This is the night when Christians everywhere, washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement, are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.”
This Easter, no matter where you are, rejoice and sing the words of the ancient Exsultet, because, “This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death!”
Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation!
Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes forever!
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