April 11, 2009
Easter Vigil – Conclusion of Triduum
Genesis 1:1, 26-31; Genesis 22:1-18; Exodus 14:14-15:1; Isaiah 54:5-14; Isaiah 55:1-11 Baruch 3:9- 4:4; Ezekiel 36:16-18:28; Romans 6:3-11; Luke 24:1-12
It is not unthinkable nor unusual that tomorrow, on Easter Sunday, many of our community will be traveling far and wide to enjoy Easter lunch, brunch or dinner with family and/or friends. In order to transport themselves, most will hop into their cars and motor away. Some will travel short distances, some will chart a course on our freeways that will take them into neighboring counties and perhaps even nearby States. Upon arriving at their destination, our community members will be greeted by family and friends with great festivity…and their cars, having done what they are supposed to do, will sit forgotten in the driveway. Unless it is a new or fancy car….which will garner a few minutes of covetous admiration, the car’s job is just to transport people….the car is not important….the people are. In the very same way the stories of Scripture are the vehicles by which ‘important truths’ are conveyed from one generation to the next. The imagery and creativity of each story insures that it will be remembered and easily recalled for fresh rendition. Like a computer virus hidden within the story, the ‘important truths’ are thus passed along so that the thoughtful and perceptive can suddenly awake to the realizization that they have been ‘infected’ with ‘knowledge of God’. While the stories are fun and interesting, they are merely the vehicles…and in themselves are not important. What is of importance are the truths that lie within. This night we have a WIDE range of ‘transportation vehicles’ conveying truths and wisdom. The Genesis account of creation essentially reminds us that ‘God created the heavens and the earth and all that are within them.’ The literary mechanisms of day one or day two, light from darkness, etc, etc,, are imaginative ways a grandfather would employ to explain the unexplainable to their grandchild around a campfire 40,000 years ago. In the same way we have ‘sacred myth’ about our legendary national heroes like George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, so our Exodus account captures the drama of our Jewish ancestors being formed into a ‘chosen people.’ The prophetic writings, using expansive imagery (most of it passed down by word of mouth from one generation to the next) speak of our ancestors perception of God in their midst, of struggling to separate mere human whims from the guidance of God. In the Gospel of Luke we encounter the mystery of the Resurrection…probably as overwhelming to the disciples as an alien spaceship landing in our parking lot would be for us in 2009! The truths that are conveyed within tonight’s stories are not as quick and easy to grasp as one might think. While simple on the surface, ‘God created the heavens and the earth and all that is within them….’ how might this apply to the presence of cancer cells or bubonic plague which seemingly have also been created by God? What was God thinking? Or…have we forgotten that God does not think like we do? Tonight, enjoy the stories, enjoy the rituals of fire, darkness and light. Strain your ears to hear the splash of baptismal waters being poured, Sniff the air for the aroma of chrism, perhaps a hint of smoke from the Paschal fire. Look intently at the faces of those being received into our family through Baptism and Rites of Reception, see the joy and relief written in their smiles and teary eyes. Recall that you are participating within a most wonderful story that has been renewed in every generation….enjoy the story…but later tonight, tomorrow or the day after, start to ask yourself…how were you infected this year with ‘important truths’. Oh yes…you have been infected, of that there is no doubt…for the simple reason that you participated in tonight’s story. Who knew God could be so creative and ingenious!!!
With ample story-telling, welcome and thank you for sharing this Vigil conclusion to Triduum with our Corpus Christi Community. In a special way we now welcome our newest family members: Su Barker , Jennifer Poston, Irma “Leticia” Owens, James Owens, Lydia Laboa, Debbie Kvochak, Jennifer Hendricks. At the close of Mass you are invited to linger and enjoy some refreshments outdoors on the courtyard…if you use any of the outdoor chairs, please replace them to where you found them so that all will be in order for tomorrow’s Masses. While tonight has been filled with much ritual and ceremony, tomorrow, Easter, is tumultuous and highly celebrative…you are certainly welcome to return to experience any of the Easter Masses at 8, 10 or 12 Noon. Please take a Bulletin with you as you journey home, parish life keeps on going even after Easter. Thank you for becoming a part of our Corpus Christi story this evening….and remember, one of the ‘important truths’ hidden within tonight is simple yet constant and deep: you are loved. Happy Easter! Love, FKB
