Reading I: Gen. 1:-1-2:2
Psalm: 104
Reading II: Gen.22:1-18
Gospel: Mark 16: 1-7
This week, I have decided to reflect on the beautiful Service of Light and its joyful, triumphant prayers. It is sometimes better to focus on a small part of a liturgy since it is so rich that it demands our slowing down to more fully appreciate it.
First, we have the preparation of the Easter Candle. The Easter Candle represents the glorified Body of Jesus. It is decorated with a cross, recalling Jesus’ sacrificing Himself to save us. The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet remind us that God is eternal. Then, the current year is carved into the candle. During the decorating of the candle, the following powerful words are proclaimed:
Christ yesterday and today;
the Beginning and the End;
the Alpha; and the Omega.
All time belongs to Him;
and all ages.
To Him be glory and power;
through every age and forever. Amen.
Finally, five grains of incense are placed in the cross, representing the now glorious wounds of Jesus. As that is done, the following words are prayed:
By His holy and glorious wounds, may
Christ the Lord guard and protect us. Amen.
Then, a new fire is started, symbolizing the living spirit of Jesus. The large Easter Candle is lit from that fire, thus proclaiming the Resurrection of Jesus in his glorified body.
Once the Easter Candle is prepared, a priest or deacon carries the candle into a darkened church. He is followed by a procession of people who have witnessed the preparation of the candle. Three times the candle is lifted high as the celebrant joyfully proclaims: “The Light of Christ.” An enthusiastic congregation responds: “Thanks be to God!!!”
Light from the Easter Candle is used to light smaller candles. The light, representing the spirit of Christ is then passed from one person to another. The Church glows with the Light of Christ.
The “Exultet” is passionately sung by a soloist:
Exult, let them exult, the hosts 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, as glory floods her,
ablaze with light from her eternal King,
let all corners of the earth be glad,
knowing the end to gloom and darkness.
Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice,
arrayed with the lightning of his glory,
let this holy building shake with joy,
filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.
The Service of Light ends with the following prayer:
May this flame be found still burning
by the Morning Star:
the one Morning Star who never sets,
Christ your Son,
who, coming back from Death's domain,
has shed his peaceful light on humanity
and lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
The Easter Candle will be located by the altar all through the Easter Season to remind us that we are Easter people. This tangible symbol of Christ will also be part of the Baptismal services throughout the year. It will also be at funerals to remind us of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans.
By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared
his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death
by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a
new life. (Romans 6:4)
I have just focused on the highlights and some of the prayers of the Service of Light. We are so blessed to have such a rich and beautiful liturgy to celebrate the Feast of Easter. Even if we are unable to participate in the Easter Vigil Liturgy, just reflecting on the symbols and prayers can more deeply appreciate the Lord’s Resurrection.
Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Somos personas de Pascua
Somos personas de Pascua
Esta semana, he decidido reflexionar sobre el hermoso Servicio de la Luz y sus oraciones alegres y triunfantes. A veces es mejor enfocarse en una pequeña parte de la liturgia, ya que es tan rica que exige que disminuyamos nuestra velocidad para apreciarla más plenamente.
Primero, tenemos la preparación de la Vela de Pascua. La Vela de Pascua representa el Cuerpo glorificado de Jesús. Está decorado con una cruz, recordando que Jesús se sacrificó a Sí mismo para salvarnos. La primera y la última letra del alfabeto griego nos recuerdan que Dios es eterno. Entonces, el año actual está tallado en la vela. Durante la decoración de la vela, se proclaman las siguientes palabras poderosas:
Cristo ayer y hoy;
el Principio y el Fin;
el Alfa; y el Omega.
Todo el tiempo le pertenece a Él;
y todas las edades.
A Él sea gloria y poder;
a través de todas las edades y para siempre. Amén.
Finalmente, cinco granos de incienso se colocan en la cruz, representando las ahora gloriosas heridas de Jesús. Cuando se hace eso, se rezan las siguientes palabras:
Por sus santas y gloriosas heridas, puede
Cristo el Señor nos protege y protege. Amén.
Entonces, se inicia un nuevo fuego, que simboliza el espíritu viviente de Jesús. La gran Vela de Pascua se enciende desde ese fuego, proclamando así la Resurrección de Jesús en su cuerpo glorificado.
Una vez que se prepara la Vela de Pascua, un sacerdote o diácono lleva la vela a una iglesia oscura. Le sigue una procesión de personas que han sido testigos de la preparación de la vela. Tres veces la vela se levanta alto mientras el celebrante proclama alegremente: “La Luz de Cristo”. Una congregación entusiasta responde: “¡Gracias a Dios!”
La luz de la vela de Pascua se usa para encender velas más pequeñas. La luz, que representa el espíritu de Cristo, pasa luego de una persona a otra. La Iglesia brilla con la Luz de Cristo.
El "Exultet" es cantado apasionadamente por un solista:
Exulta, deja que se regocijen, las huestes del cielo,
exulta, deja que los ministros de Dios se regocijen,
deja la trompeta de la salvación
¡suena en voz alta nuestro triunfo del Rey!
Alégrate, deja que la tierra se alegre, como la gloria la inunda,
ardiendo con la luz de su Rey eterno,
que todos los rincones de la tierra estén contentos,
sabiendo el final de la oscuridad y la oscuridad.
Alégrate, deja que la Madre Iglesia también se regocije,
arreglado con el rayo de su gloria,
deja que este edificio sagrado tiemble de alegría
lleno de las poderosas voces de los pueblos.
El Servicio de Luz finaliza con la siguiente oración:
Que esta llama se encuentre aún ardiendo
por la estrella de la mañana:
el único Morning Star que nunca se pone,
Cristo tu Hijo,
quien, volviendo del dominio de la Muerte,
ha arrojado su luz pacífica sobre la humanidad
y vive y reina por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
La Vela de Pascua estará ubicada junto al altar durante toda la temporada de Pascua para recordarnos que somos personas de Pascua. Este símbolo tangible de Cristo también será parte de los servicios bautismales durante todo el año. También será en los funerales para recordarnos la carta de San Pablo a los romanos.
Por nuestro bautismo, entonces, fuimos sepultados con él
y compartimos su muerte, para que, así como Cristo resucitó
de la muerte por el poder glorioso del Padre, así también
podríamos vivir un nueva vida. (Romanos 6: 4)
Me he centrado en los aspectos más destacados y en algunas de las oraciones del Servicio de la Luz. Somos muy afortunados de tener una liturgia tan rica y bella para celebrar la fiesta de Pascua. Incluso si no podemos participar en la Liturgia de la Vigilia Pascual, solo reflexionando sobre los símbolos y oraciones podemos apreciar más profundamente la Resurrección del Señor.
Pregunta de reflexión: ¿Cómo podemos reflejar la alegría de la Pascua en nuestra vida diaria?
Thank you, Sr. Annette, for explaining the symbolism surrounding the preparation of the Easter Candle. This new awareness will add a deeper appreciation of the ritual. In addition to the rich meaning associated with the preparation of the Easter Candle, its light, so lovely, illuminates the darkness of the church. Just as countless candles are lit from it without diminishing its light, so too are we to be lights in our dark world, drawing our energy and strength from the One Source and shining it onto others.
ReplyDeleteChallenged to respond to your Reflection Question I did a little exploring to tap into the wisdom of others who inspire through their writing and I came across an article entitled, “Easter Joy for Everyday Life,” which can be found at: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/Easter-Joy-Everyday.html . I’d like to share parts of that article with you and your readers.
“More than just a day, the Church gives us a seven-week Easter season to celebrate. Yet sometimes our everyday lives feel so heavy that celebration is not a part of them. Critical illness in the family, loss of a job, disappointment in a relationship and the burdens of everyday life can make it a challenge to feel particularly joyful – even in the Easter season.”
“But the joy we are being invited into this season is beyond what we see in our everyday lives. It's true that Jesus says “Come to me and bring me your burdens” but we usually can’t believe it. Maybe we don’t want to believe it. If I really allow Jesus to come into my heart the way he wants to, will he ask me to change my life in ways that are too hard? How do I share the chaos of my life with Jesus? If I keep him at arm’s length, my life might be difficult, but at least my problems are familiar. What would it cost me to let go and change my life?”
The author assures us, “Jesus loves us - right now. At this moment, Jesus holds each one of us in his warm and loving gaze and loves us so freely at a depth that our human minds can’t take in. Whether we comprehend this or not, Jesus loves us endlessly and waits for us with his arms open, ready to hold and support us. “
“As we receive his embrace and feel the peace and joy of Easter wash over us, we can look over his shoulder, and see beyond to those in need who now wait for us. That’s when we realize that the real joy in our lives is putting aside our own faults, challenges and difficulties for a while and entering into the lives of others.”
“Pope Francis said at Easter, we leave ourselves behind and encounter others by ‘being close to those crushed by life’s troubles, sharing with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the outcast.’ “
“We are being missioned as Easter People – to be ‘Light from Light.’ We find peace in Jesus’ love for us and now we share it with others. We find ourselves standing side by side with Jesus, looking together at those we are being sent to love. That is where the real joy of Easter waits for us.”
May the joy of Easter fill our hearts with peace and hope.
Pat C., ASBS
Yes, the liturgy of the Church is amazingly rich. As Catholics, we certainly are blessed. Thank you, Sister, for all the inspiring and fascinating explanations regarding the Service of Light.
ReplyDeleteThe following selections are from a homily in the Dominican Friars' Collection:
" 'Alleluia!' If there's one word that describes our Easter celebrations, it's this. We've been holding off from using it for the whole of Lent just so we can apply it with renewed intensity to our celebration of Christ's resurrection. It gets sung back and forth three times by the priest and congregation at the Easter vigil as we take it up again. . . This "Alleluia" permeates the whole of our Easter celebration. It gives it its character, its mood."
"Today, when we celebrate the fact that Jesus, whose death on the cross we commemorated on Friday, has risen again, we cry 'Alleluia' because we are celebrating the fact that He's won. He has proved stronger than death."
"The joy which our Easter alleluias express is the joy of believing, that joy in the Gospel of which Pope Francis has written so powerfully in his recent 'Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium'. In that text, the Pope has reminded us that our joy in believing is a powerful force, impelling us to want to go out and share the good news with others, and also a way of attracting them to share in that belief and joy."
"As we celebrate today Christ's Resurrection, His victory on behalf of all humanity over death itself, we renew the joy which lies at the heart of the Christmas message with a cry that sums up the whole of that message: 'Alleluia!'"