The Easter Vigil begins with darkness.
Showing posts with label Easter Vigil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter Vigil. Show all posts
Easter Vigil: Liturgical Prayers
PART I: SERVICE OF THE LIGHT
Introduction by the CelebrantWhen there was sin, the world was in the grip of darkness. We celebrate tonight how Jesus came in that darkness to bring us the light of God's love by his death and resurrection. Now a new era could begin for the world and for all of us. This is why we light the fire, for Jesus came to light in us the fire of his love and hope. Let its flames leap up high in us and make us fervent. We kindle the light and profess that Jesus Christ is our light and the light of the world. We follow him and ask him to make us lights on the path of others. What a joy for us!
Easter Vigil and Easter 2016
Easter Vigil: Reflecting on the Celebration
1.
Darkness.
by these Paschal celebrations,
we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires
that with minds made pure,
we may attain festivities of unending splendor.”
The Easter Vigil begins with darkness. The darkness itself is the first movement of
the liturgy, so we begin our preparations with that darkness. It represents all darkness, and all the
meanings of darkness - devoid of light; evil thoughts, motivations, deeds; all
that is hidden and secret, deceitful and dishonest, divisive and abusive,
immoral and sinful. It's the darkness of
our world, and the darkness in my heart.
If I come to the vigil and restlessly and impatiently fidget in the dark
“until something happens,” I miss the power of what is about to happen. So, we prepare by readying ourselves to
experience the darkness. It is
distasteful and reprehensible, embarrassing and humbling, fearful and
despairing. Then a light is struck. It
breaks into the darkness. “O God, who through your son bestowed upon the
faithful the fire of your glory,
sanctify + this new
fire, we pray, and grant that, by these Paschal celebrations,
we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires
that with minds made pure,
we may attain festivities of unending splendor.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)