EASTER VIGIL: REFLECTION BY REV FR JULIAN O EKEH

Theme: THE BATTLE IS OVER! CHRIST HAS CONQUERED! ALLELUIA!

(Luke 24:1–12)

On this Holy night, the language of the Church will change. The suspended Alleluia will come back in a solemn way. This is the holy night that gives our Alleluia its meaning. This is the Holy night that witnessed a great battle. On this Holy night light and darkness waged a serious war. On this Holy Night God and the Devil fought for the salvation of Man, just as it happened about the body of Moses.

Yes! On this Holy Night the Lord that came to earth, that descended into hell, saw hell for us and conquered hell. The joy of this conquest lies in the fact that it was at the climax of the enemy’s joy, when the enemy was already celebrating that he has scored irremediable goals, when the powers of hell relaxed having given Jesus the deadliest blows. When in fact their experts confirmed Jesus dead, just as people confirmed Lazarus dead. They buried Him, covered His grave with a heavy stone, refused to go away but stationed guards to even watch over the dead, not for fear that He was going to rise, not to prevent Him from rising, but to prevent the disciples from stealing the body away. But all these notwithstanding, Christ arose. Alleluia Christ arose. Up from the grave He arose to the dismay of the enemy. He is no longer in the grave.

BUT THE WOMEN CAME TO THE TOMB

Drawn by the love they had for Jesus, at early dawn the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared.

Grief and tears, disappointment and frustration, hopelessness and helplessness covered the eyes of the women. Just like the disciples they forgot all that Jesus said concerning His resurrection. Their past experience where they witnessed Jesus dying the most shameful death had occupied their mind. So, they went to look for Jesus among the dead.

My dearest friends in Christ, where do you look for Jesus? Where do you look for salvation, favours, promotion, development, empowerment, breakthroughs and fortune?

Let’s not look for Christ among the dead. He is not there.

Hear what the Angel told the women whose faces were bent down: Why do you seek the living among the dead?

This is an important question for us. The death of Jesus puts an end to any connection we have with dead works. Why do you seek the living happy among the dead works of addiction and immorality? Why do you seek to make a living from the dead and death of your loved ones? Why do you allow poverty and frustration to make you hang around and mess around with evil men? Why do you seek political living among ‘dead’ and tepid politicians?

Let us beware of people and of every environment that still situates Christ among the dead. He is not there. He can’t be caged there. He can’t be held bondage. God can’t be manipulated. God can’t be put to shame for long. He must rise!

BUT HE HAS RISEN

Truly, it is not easy for someone who had witnessed what Jesus went through during His passion to hope for anything better.

Meanwhile with the aid of the word of God, the Angel of the resurrection enlightened the minds of these women to understand what God has done, is doing and is about to do.

We need this Angel of God in our lives at those moments we feel that the whole world has deserted us. We need Him when we feel that God is far from us. We need to be taken back to the word of God that tells us of the third day. We need to be encouraged that our tears will turn to joy. We must keep going believing that those who put their trust in the Lord shall not be disappointed. The night in your life must give way to the light of Christ. The enemy will not laugh last in your life.

Since Christ rose you must rise. Rise from that sinful company! Rise from that evil relationship! Rise from political slavery! Rise from spiritual laziness, Rise from moral decadence!

What are the heavy stones stopping you from rising? The stone of bad habit, the stone of light-headedness? Allow Christ to roll it away by the power of His Resurrection.

You must rise. You must live because He lives. You must face your tomorrow. Yes! Your tomorrow will be better with your new way of looking at reality. Yes, you are a post resurrection candidate!

May your barrenness be rolled away! May your sickness be rolled away! May your sorrows be rolled away. May the causes of the violence and abuse you experience in your marriage be rolled away. May the guilt of your sins be rolled away. Arise and shine! Rejoice in the Lord Alleluia!

Your joy can never be stollen.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

Thank You Almighty Everliving God for the resurrection of Christ Your Son. Thank You for making me a partaker of this resurrection. By the power of Christ’s resurrection may we live in the joy of new life in Christ. May our nights of darkness, sorrows, pain, disappointments, shame and fears give way for the Holy Light of Resurrection that fills us with zeal and empowerment to live on. Grant these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Easter to you

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh