HOMILY FOR HOLY SATURDAY/EASTER VIGIL — YEAR A
HOMILY FOR HOLY SATURDAY/EASTER VIGIL — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE STRENGTH OF THIS HOLY NIGHT!
BY: Fr. Casmir Nkamuke
Genesis 1-2:2, Psalm 104 Romans 6:3-11, Matthew 28:1-10
Today, we celebrate the vigil of the resurrection of Our Lord. On this night, the Liturgy recounts for us the history of our salvation. The readings remind us of God’s liberative power in creation, the call of Abraham, the liberation of the Israelites, and the victory of Christ over death in his resurrection.
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Night and darkness are usually symbolisms and imageries for evil, fear, uncertainty, and terror. In the liturgy of the Holy Week, night was mentioned severally with regards to the reign of evil. As we journey in this world, we are daily faced with dark forces of envy, hatred, fear, and uncertainty. Thanks to God, through the supreme victory of Our Lord Jesus Christ over the darkness of death, we now find the courage to walk through the valley of the shadow of death without fearing any evil.
The first creature of God is light. Separating the day from the night, God made the Sun to give us light by day, and the moon and the stars to illuminate us at night. This is a reminder that God light accompanies us always, whether it be at our most triumphant moment, or our most challenging moments as was the case of Abraham and the Israelites in the readings of today.
In the Exultet today, night is used not in reference to fear and terror, but to victory. We are reminded of the salvific events of the night. It is the night that the Israelites were saved from slavery. It is the night that the darkness of sin was destroyed. It is the night that Christians are washed from all defilement and restored to grace. It is the night that Christ broke the chains of death.
Beloved in the Lord, this night is unique and blessed. The strength of this holy night dispels all evil forces, cleanses us of the punishment due to our sin, restores us to our sanctifying grace, brings joy and happiness to the sorrowful, extinguishes hatred, brings us peace, and helps us to avoid being boastful and embrace humility. Christ is the light that shines in darkness. He is the light of which darkness cannot overcome. He has broken and conquered all the terrors of night and darkness.
For us Christians, it is indeed the night of our victory. The night that Christ was raised in glory. The terror of the night has been conquered. As we celebrate the glorious night of Christ’s resurrection, may we bring before him all that keeps us in fear and trembling. May we have enough courage and strength to resist the devil and all his lures that will perpetually keep us in the dark.
As we savour the joy of this great night, may the joyful melodies of Alleluia and the light of the resurrection dispel whatever form of darkness that is holding us hostage in our families, workplaces, communities and country. May the joy of the resurrection grant us perseverance in all our challenges and light at the end of the tunnel.
Happy Easter!!!
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