In the Light
Outta the darkness / the Father has sparked this. / the spirit’s alive / while the flesh is a carcass. / If you’re seriously curious about my past, / well I once was lost / but I’m free at last.
Only DC Talk could get it that right. ;) And a light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it. That’s the sum of it, this Holy Saturday, at Easter Vigil. From the moment the Paschal candle is lit in the back of the sanctuary, the service builds. The scriptures are read. The candidates are baptised and consecrated. The peace is given. And then, suddenly, the celebrant proclaims the words,
bq. Alleluia! Christ is risen!
And all the people respond,
bq. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
And the lights come on, and the banners are brought out, and the bells ring, and we sing the Gloria. There are few words I can use to describe what this is like, after 40 days of growing solemnity, 40 days without a single Alleluia, 40 days culminating in Holy Week and the bitter pain and sadness of Good Friday. From the psalm we read,
bq. Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
bq. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Joy. Yesterday, my heart was at peace. Tonight, it is filled with joy. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
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