Easter Vigil 2018
Easter Vigil 2018
Homily
Through the Readings at the beginning of the Vigil, we follow Creation history and that of the people of Israel. We accompany them through Creation, the Patriarchs, slavery, Exodus, the prophets. It is a story of people striving to know God, to live as God wants them. It is often a story of failure, but never one of giving up. However often they fail, they keep trying. It is a story worth telling and worth reflecting on. It is a story which culminates in Jesus mission.
Last Sunday we heard Mark’s simple yet terrible description of Jesus’ death, finishing with him in the tomb. Tonight, in the darkness, we join the two Mary’s and Salome on their way to anoint Jesus.
We must not underestimate the danger they were putting themselves in. Being out so early in the morning, if they ran into anyone, they were potentially in danger of arrest or robbery or assault. In addition, if they were caught anointing a known ‘rebel”, they could be in danger as well.
Did you notice that they are alone? We are told that they were discussing how to move the stone, so obviously none of the male disciples were game to venture out. In a sense, they are going out in faith, trusting that something will work.
As we know, so it does, but not In any way they could expect. As always in Mark, the story is told simply. They go, arrive and are sent forth.
Here these women are “apostles to the apostles”! They are the ones sent by God to pass to the male disciples that Jesus has risen.
Here is another proof of the events. Women’s evidence was’nt accepted in the courts, so if you were going to make this up, you would’nt have women as your primary witnesses.
We are told that “he is not here”, in the tomb. He is out, among us, as he still is among us today.
As you go out in the world, what story do you tell? Do we take the message of Jesus to those we meet?