Sermon Cloud

Saint Augustine calls this night the most blessed of all nights. God's people recall on this night the anguish of those who waited to visit the tomb on that first Easter morning, but we also wait with hope and joyful expectation for the celebration of the Lord's resurrection.

Christians are an Easter people and the greeting Allelluia recalls for us the joy of that first Easter morning when the women went to the tomb in order to complete the Jewish burial practices, but found instead that Jesus was no longer there.

As we celebrate the Lord's victory over death, we come to him with thankful hearts. It is right that we should praise and thank him for he is lives among us and inspires us to act courageously in loving and serving one another. Allelluia!

Having celebrated the liturgies of Holy Thursday and Good Friday, and because we have experienced his tender love, shown forth in the offering of his body and blood in the Upper Room, and in the sacrifice of Calvary, we have the pledge of his unending presence and constant guidance as we too make our way to him in faith. Christ's resurrection means that every dark day that we live and every rejection we must endure is overshadowed by the hope we find in Him. We can therefore die to ourselves every day, and live freely for Him. Allelluia!

Like the women at the tomb, we can sometimes be puzzled, even in the midst of our amazement that Jesus has overcome death, and lives forever in heaven, but his resurrection also invites us to an abiding faith that recognizes in the Risen Christ the fulfillment of God's plan to reunite us with Himself. Allelluia!

Easter is the occasion for all pilgrim believers to renew our commitment to live as disciples, so that as Jesus himself revealed the merciful love of the Father, we too may follow him in giving joyful witness to the saving love of God. Allelluia!