EASTER VIGIL
2005
Welcome! You all look great in the light!
Let me look for a minute. I wish you could have my view.
But you’re still looking at flowers.
We have come from many places, but all for the same thing.
We have different reasons. Different dreams, but the same hope that inspires them.
We embarked on a journey three days ago.
We were told that it would be wild and unpredictable.
It has been unpredictable!
Hasn’t it Deacon Bill! We heard about and experienced and talked about how one person
can make all of the difference.
My parents are here!
My sister and my two nieces and my nephew are here.
They have had a journey today.
They ran into an accident on their way down
and got redirected.
I got a phone call at 3:30, when they were supposed to be here.
and my sister yelled, “Where am I?”
So I attempted to understand the detour she had to take so I could figure where she was.
My dear sister doesn’t have a concept of north and south, east and west.
Thank God for landmarks!
So perhaps I jinxed my family with this journey thing I have been talking about.
I thank them for making the decision to come
– to put their feet on the ground not knowing what it might mean.
- for getting through the painful part of their journey
and for celebrating this Easter with me.
There are others who have journeyed to be with us.
College students
Meg
visitors
we have many who have been initiated into the Catholic Church at nights like this
family and friends of some special people
and those special people
11 of our new friends who are going to share the high point of their journey with us tonight.
They have been preparing to be fully initiated in the Catholic Church.
to be part of this community of faith.
Someone posed the question to me this week
after thinking about
John, Bruce, Helena, Amy, Julie, Bill, Jodie, Geoff, Vicky, Jewell, Lori
What makes someone want to be become Catholic?
These 11 disciples made the decision to be here some time ago
And for very different reasons
Some did so for the very good reason of sharing the faith of their spouse and children.
For them it has become much more.
Some did so as a response to a search.
For them the searching has led to the discovery of tools that will help them in their continuing
search.
Some have been inspired by others, - children, parents, friends
And they have become an inspiration for others.
One of them is already Catholic through baptism, but as life sometimes leads us
she had a little detour or road block.
Some have been with us for many years – but not able to participate in the sacraments
For them, tonight will be profound as so many years of making sure that you sit on the end of
the pew so that no one has to climb over you – is no more.
They are going to be part of the procession.
Some were inspired by this Holy Night – last year.
Two women stood before Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
One asked, "Why can't we build structures like this anymore?"
Her friend answered, "The people who built this had faith.
Today we have opinions. And you can't build a cathedral with opinions."
We all embark on different journeys that led us to the same truth. God is with us.
God can be found. God can be known. God is with us.
There is an east and a west
there is a north and a south.
in this faith that we profess.
There are givens on a journey with God.
Why does someone want to become Catholic?
There are givens, there are truths!
There are words and actions
treasures that the Church gives to us.
And when we do them well.
when we do them, He is here.
Our gospel tells us about Mary Magdelane going to the tomb.
She was doing something that we all do.
She went to the tomb because she lost something.
She lost a friend, she lost an experience.
She thought that perhaps, if she went to the tomb
she could get some of those feelings back.
Perhaps being in the right place, she could recapture feelings
that Jesus gave her – when she was forgiven
– when she sat at his feet and washed his feet with her hair.
Don’t we do that – if only I could re-create the space
if only I could bring back the feeling when I was…
if only I could have a spiritual experience like…
if only I could go back on that retreat.
Let us learn something from this Easter story,
from Mary Magdelane, the former sinner.
She went to the tomb to be with Jesus.
She attempted to recreate an experience, a feeling.
and she could not see Him standing in front of her.
She talked to him and didn’t recognize Him.
She tried too hard.
She probably had ideas of how it was supposed to happen.
We often approach our search for God
like an Easter Egg Hunt.
He’s around here somewhere.
If only I can find out where He is hiding?
My friends, My children
He is right here!
Our Catechumens and candidates are going to be witnesses to us in just a moment
they are going to open up for us an opportunity
to recapture – to relive – re-create
a feeling, and experience from sometime in the past.
No longer hestitant disciples come.
The Lord provides us with everything that we need for the journey
he is our strength to do everything
and if I could borrow once again words from my mother
when I asked her about my birth,
she said it is a pain that is easily forgotten
It’s so nice to be the priest son because I can say
she’s lying, but I know what she means
and as we celebrate here tonight
perhaps some of our Good Fridays have perspective.
I wish you could have my view.
The Lord’s face radiates with joy
this Night – This Holy Night
when heaven is wedded to earth
because of you.