The Easter Vigil is the church's attempt to bring together all the mysteries of faith in a single liturgy. Of course, this can't be done, but we have to try. From the new fire, to the Paschal candle, from the reading of the history of salvation to the baptism of new Christians or the renewal of our baptismal vows, the liturgy is like a smorgasbord of the finest spiritual foods that can be overpowering for even the hungriest spiritual heart.
If, like me, you can't absorb everything being celebrated, pick one of the symbols to enjoy. Focus on the new fire or the Paschal candle. Pray before the font of newly blessed water and sign yourself with it every time you enter church. Bring some of the Easter water home and place it in the center of your kitchen or dining room table. Invite everyone to bless themselves with it before meals. Read again the creation accounts in the scripture and delight in God's gifts to us. There is no reason we can't return to these mysteries throughout the Easter season. After all, there are fifty days of Easter to rejoice, to sing, to greet one another with joy and Alleluia's.
The Eastern church has a simple custom that helps them keep the Easter spirit alive in their hearts. Every time Eastern rite Catholics meet one another during the Easter season they say, "Christ is risen," and the response is, "Truly, he is risen." Offering and receiving this greeting allows a simple religious practice to become a part of daily life. When religious practices and prayers are completely private or reserved for church, the life of faith is limited as well. That Christ lives within and among us as an eternal light is not something to keep to ourselves. Easter's joy is a gift for the whole world.
Today, find a way to make your faith public and joy filled.
Who has impressed you most with the transparency of their faith in daily life?
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