A WORD FOR TODAY EASTER VIGIL MASS 2021

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*HOLY SATURDAY(EASTER VIGIL): FOLLOW THE LIGHT AND RISE*

_"And he said to them, Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.”(Mark 16:6-7)_

_*In this evening vigil mass, we wait in prayer and meditation in preparation for the resurrection of the Lord who is in the tomb already. In this night on that day so many things were happening in the grave, there was silence on the earth, but there was rumbling in the tomb.*_

_Our vigil is to await the resurrection of Christ and to rise with Him in Joy. He died and was buried, but the tomb and death could not hold Him captive. He was the Lord, even in the grave and He released all those who were held captive by the power of sin and death and gave them the freedom they never had before._

_*Our liturgy today is rich with symbol and meaning. It has four significant parts. The first is the ceremony of the light, in which the paschal candle which represents the risen and glorified Christ is lit outside the Church and we follow it to enter the Church. This light will illumine and radiate our lives and be our guide in this earthly journey.*_

_In the second part we shall meditate on God's word from the old testament to the new testament. This will help us to understand the love the Lord has show to us from creation, to the fall of man and His redemption in Christ through His suffering and death._

_*The third part is the ceremony of baptism of catechumens and also the renewal of the baptismal promises by all those who have been baptised and finally the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist.*_

_We must follow Jesus our paschal light to rise from the dead of envy, jealousy, wickedness, unforgiveness, corruption and other forms of evil that has held us captive for a long time._

_*God created us in love and when we fell, He sent His Son to come and die for us so that we will be reconciled with Him. Jesus became the light that set us free from darkness. We have been buried with Him in baptism and as He is risen, we shall rise with Him in glory to newness of life.*_

_Easter represents Joy, newness of life and celebration of God's greatness over sin and death, evil and darkness. We must be joyful and rise with Christ to become the light of the world and the salt of the earth._

_*Good evening dearest one. Smile😊as you join in the celebration of this holy night for the Lord is risen. May Jesus the risen Lord help us to shine as the light everywhere and may the resurrection power speak for you. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Genesis 1:1-2:2/Ps. 104/Genesis 22:1-18/Ps. 16/ Exodus 14:15-15:/Ps. Exod. 15/ Isaiah 54:5-14/Ps.30/Isaiah 55:1-11/Ps. Is. 12/ Baruch 3:9-15.32-4:4/Ps.19/ Ezekiel 36:16-17a. 18-28/Ps. 42/Romans 6:3-11/ Ps.118
Mark 16:1-7

*Watch-Word:* He is risen, He is not in the tomb

*Jesus rise from the dead and we will rise with Him to shine as the light in the world.*

(Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil Mass)