EVENT : Holy Saturday
COLOUR: White
READINGS : Gen. 1:1-2:2; Resp. Psalm 103:1-2,5-6,10,12-14,24,35; Gen. 22:1-18; Psalm 15:5,8-11; Exodus 14:15-15:1; Res. Psalm. Ex. 15; Isaiah 54:5-14; Psalm 29:2,4-6,11-13; Isaiah 55:1-11; Resp. Psalm Isaiah 12; Baruch 3:9-15,32-4:4; Psalm 18:8-11; Ezekiel 36:16-17,18-28; Psalm 41:2-3,5,42:3-4; Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 117:1-2,16-17,22-23; Gospel reading Mark 16:1-8.
THEME: HE DESCENDED INTO HELL
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Third day of April, which is also the Holy Saturday ( Sabbatum Sanctum), I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " He Descended Into Hell". Beloved, and fellow mourners, although on the cross, Jesus had said, "It is Finished" (John 19:30), he was still yet to wrap up his mission, if his redeeming sacrifice on the cross was to have a retrospective and futuristic impart on all of mankind (Cf. CCC. 634). Thus, we confidently pray in the fifth article of the Nicene Creed, "He Descended to the dead..." Now, after his vicarious death on the cross on good Friday, and as his body tarried in the tomb in the grave, he descended to Hell or what is called limbo or Sheol in Hebrew and Hades in Greek, to greet and preach the Good News to the dead and to free those holy souls who have been deprived of the vision of God since their death (Cf. CCC 633). Thus, this Holy Saturday commemorate the sojourning of Christ amongst the dead as their redeemer and first to lead the dead to new life (1Cor. 15:20). So, while on earth, we joined the disciples in their mourning, and the women in preparing spices with which to anoint the body of Jesus, there was great rejoicing and celebration in the underworld, as Abraham, Moses, David and the other prophets of old, rushed to embrace Jesus, whose death broke the prison bars of Hell that held them captives.
It is important that I mention at this point, that tonight is not actually the time of the Lord's resurrection. His resurection occurred in the earlier hours of the first day of the week, that is tomorrow, Easter Sunday. However, what we are actually doing tonight is called vigil. Now, a vigil is the liturgical commemoration of a notable feast, held on the evening preceding the feast. The term 'vigil', comes from the Latin word vigilia , which means "wakefulness," and which came to be used when the faithful stayed awake to pray and do devotional exercises in anticipation of a given feast. So, Easter vigil is the vigil held on the evening before Easter Sunday. Furthermore, according to the main document governing the celebrations connected with Easter, Paschales Solemnitatis, Art. 80: "From the time of the disciples, the Church has always celebrated that annual Pasch, which is the solemnity of solemnities, above all by means of a night vigil". This is done to heighten the joyful expectations of Easter Sunday. Because, the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith and hope. For if Christ had only died and not risen, our faith, would have been meaningless and futile. Tonight, as the readings narrate to us, we celebrate the accomplishment of God's redeeming work, this is evidently portrayed in the Great sung of Easter Proclamation, 'The Exultet ', which is Solemnly sung. We also celebrate Christ as the light of the world, in the great Lucernarium , we also sing the great Hallelujah, after a long while and the entire Church and indeed the entire world come back to life and exuberance.
Beloved in Christ, on this night that we are keeping watch, a vigil in joyful anticipation of the resurection of Jesus, let us be confident that as no tomb in the world could contain the Lord Jesus for long, so our mortal bodies would not rot in the grave of destruction eternally. Just like through divine power, the body of Jesus was kept from decaying and he rose from the dead in tact by divine power, so we too shall be preserved from corruption in the grave until we rise with Christ. For the Psalmist had said: "My flesh will dwell in hope. For you will not let your Holy One see corruption" (Psalm 16:9-10). The mystery of Christ's lying in the tomb, reveals the great rest of God after the fulfillment of our salvation which brings peace to the whole world (Colossians 1:18-20). So, child of God, watch, pray and fast, so that that resurrection power of Jesus which shattered the grave, which freed him from the shackles of death, and which blasted the tomb, will also be made manifest in our lives this period.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, you died that I might live forever in your kingdom of peace and righteousness. Strengthen my faith that I may I know the power of your resurrection and live in the hope of seeing you face to face for ever...
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit .....Amen
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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