The Homily for Holy Saturday of Easter Vigil, 16th April, 2022

 The Homily for Holy Saturday of Easter Vigil, 16th April, 2022

Readings: Gen 1:1-22; 22:1-18; Ex.14:15-15:1; Is 54:5-14; 55:1:11; Bar 3:9:9-15.33-4:4; Ez.36:16-17.18-28;Ps. 51;Rom. 6:3-11; Ps. 118; Luke 24:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

EXPERIENCING THE LORD’S VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH

Easter Vigil is the peak of the entire liturgy which began on Holy Thursday. It is a night which is regarded as the mother of all holy vigils, since it is the night when the Church awaits in prayer the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, who has gone to search for our first parents just like the lost sheep. He descended into the dead to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, in order to free from sorrow the captives who are captured by the sin and death of our forefathers Adam and Eve. And to restore them not to that their first earthly paradise. but to enthrone them into his heavenly kingdom where they are not forbidden to eat from the tree that was only a symbol of life, rather, to behold him, who is life itself. 

Thus, the liturgy of this night takes us through the journey along the paths of sacred Scriptures beginning with the account of creation to resurrection. Telling us that the creation story is itself a prophecy that is fulfilled in the person of Christ. It is not just information about an account of the process of the origins of things, but rather a pointer towards the true beginning of our being and the fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity. 

Now the liturgy is divided into four parts, beginning with the blessings of the fire and the preparation of the Paschal Candle as we wait on the Lord, followed by the great Easter Exsultet, Behold at this point, the voice of an angel singing: Exult!!, let them Exult!!, the host of heaven, Exult!!, let Angel ministers of God Exult, let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our might King’s triumph!  Be glad let earth be glad for the stone has been taken away from the tomb, our Lord has risen, Jesus is risen, light has triumph over darkness. What a glorious day, a day of victory, a day when the salvation of humanity is won, a day of personal encounter of the risen Lord. 

This great sung of victory ushers us into the liturgy of the word, followed by baptismal renewal and celebration, then the Eucharistic celebration where we encounter the risen Lord at breaking of bread. The central message of this liturgical event is God’s victory over sin and death. An event that transforms our Sorrowful hearts into a glorious joy as Jesus fulfills God’s plan for humanity.

 

Dear friends, our disposition today should be that of great joy and hope in the resurrection of Christ who has conquer our sins and death. Yes, victory is what we celebrate today. Victory over human pride and greed, selfishness and corruption, deception and operation of innocents, wickedness and injustice. Today’s victory explains how God can turn ugly situation in our lives into success and blessings. This victory explains why we must learn to trust in the Lord no matter the circumstances we may find ourselves. Today’s victory demonstrates the fact that human life does not begin and end in this passing world. Today’s victory demonstrate most profoundly the Lord’s mercy and love for all humility despite our ugly attitude towards God and our neighbours. This victory brings hope, joy, confidence, courage and relief to human suffering and frustration. 

Therefore, let us celebrate this victory with joy in spite of the hardships, the sufferings and the problems we encounter especially with the ugly situation in our country and in our world today. Let us embrace this victory. Let us proclaim it to the whole world. Let us say goodbye to sinful things of this passing world. Let us put off our old garments of sin and shame and put on the garments of victory, the garments of glory, the garments of love, the garments of joy. Let this great joy and hope that is rooted in the resurrection of the Lord help us to conquer all fears and worries, for we are victorious by the power of Christ’s victory and new life. 

Friends, let us embracing the New Life of grace which Jesus is offering us, let us struggle to avoid our old sinful ways of life as they have died with Christ, they must not raise with us again. So let us fully embrace the new righteous way of life that Jesus is offering us. Yes he has come to give us new life, for he has become the source of our great joy. Yes he is our new life and we find such great joy in his abundant life. 

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, as we joyfully embrace your resurrection, may you fill our hearts now and always with the joy of your presence, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.