by Brandon Schetgen 

We praise our loving God with greater joy than ever during this holy celebration of Easter because Christ our redeemer has risen from the dead! Every Sunday in our calendar commemorates the day which we celebrate now, that day when Christ rose triumphantly from the grave, dispelling the darkness of sin and the shadow of death. The great beauty of the Easter Vigil, the ancient tradition of keeping watch with Christ throughout the night of his Resurrection until we finally celebrate the Paschal Light of the Risen Lord, helps us to reflect on the nature of Christ, the Light of the World, in our own lives.

At first, the church building reminds us of Good Friday- the tabernacle empty, the lights extinguished, the altar bare. It seems that joy has left that holy place. But somewhere, a fire burns, waiting to re-enter the church and light the way for the faithful. The Church’s ministers stand gathered around that fire. As Peter huddled around a charcoal fire to keep warm on Good Friday when he denied Christ, so too do we gather around a fire to announce that Christ is our Light. That light, borne upon the Paschal Candle, brightens our way and leads us into the darkened vessel that will bring us from the darkness of death to the splendor of everlasting life. The light is distributed to all gathered who carry smaller vigil candles, but soon the darkness overwhelms these smaller lights which are extinguished as the Old Testament Readings commence. Yet, in this deepest darkness, the light of the Easter Candle shines brightly. Finally, that shining light triumphs once and for all as the glory of the Risen Christ is proclaimed and the lights of the church are re-lit.

This seems to be how it often happens in our own lives. At times of suffering and pain, death and loss, grieving and morning, our “church” seems dark, our “tabernacle” seems empty. It feels as though there may never be happiness again. But we must remember that somewhere outside of ourselves there remains a fire burning with love and longing to re-enter our lives. We must only open our hearts to accept that light. Once the Light of Christ enters us, no matter how dark things may get, we can always turn our eyes to that single flame burning brightly within us. We look forward to that day when Christ will come again, drive out the darkness of our sinful nature, and we might live with Him in everlasting light. “Christ, our Light… Thanks be to God.”