Easter Vigil
March 26, 2005
My Dear Friends,
I suspect that the experience of each of you is not much different than mine or anyone else here: "That good news is hard to contain!" Allow me to give you a few examples.
Give a child a gift, and the first thing he or she wants to do is run and tell his or her friend or call Mom and Dad or Grandparents.
A couple becomes pregnant and they find all kinds of clever ways to announce the good news to the rest of the family - but announce it they do!
The adolescent passing his or her driving test and friends know it almost immediately. When joy overwhelms us it cannot be contained but bubbles over and infects others. This is why good news is hard to contain - it affects others, too, and creates a new relationship.
All the weeks of Lent we have been fasting, praying, and acting charitably toward one another - waiting to hear the good news that is announced this night. An interesting detail in tonight’s Gospel from St. Matthew is that when the women came to the tomb an angel bids the women not to be afraid and then announces Jesus’ resurrection. The angel tells them to "tell his disciples." Obediently, "they went away quickly from the tomb" - good news can hardly be contained.
On the way to the disciples and amazing thing happens: the women are met by Jesus himself. He repeats what the angel said: "Do not be afraid" and "Go tell my disciples." Can’t we just imagine Jesus’ amazement and excitement at the good news of the resurrection. God sends an angel to announce it, but Jesus can’t wait - he meets the women himself. Good news is hard to contain!
This night, however, other even more startling news is announced. We hear St. Paul in his letter tell the Romans and us that we who have been "baptized into Jesus’ death will be united with him in the resurrection." This night we celebrate not only good news of Jesus’ resurrection but also the good news that we now live in the resurrected Christ. What unites us all tonight is the shared life of the Risen Christ. No wonder our joy can hardly be contained.
We have the next 50 days in which to rejoice in resurrection life. Part of this time, however, ought also be spent in discerning how we announce this good news of resurrection throughout the year. The alleluia announcement of the good news of resurrection comes in the manner in which we live this new life.
We too, ought not be afraid. We ought not fear helping another overcome weakness or mend sinful ways. We ought not fear venturing out welcoming someone who seems alone into our warm circle of friends. We ought not fear healing divisions where we see them. We ought not fear the goodness and power of the new life we have been given. The good news of resurrection cannot be contained! Alleluia.