This evening, we came to a dark church, a reminder that ever so briefly Christ was absent from the world following his crucifixion. Soon the darkness was dispelled with a fire from which we lit the paschal candle. We then brought the light of Christ into a dark church and watched that light spread from candle to candle, from person to person, until the whole church was filled with the light of Christ. For me, few moments in the year are as moving as this sign of the risen Christ touching so many people through the faith of others.
We have heard our history from Genesis and the creation story through the exodus and prophets, to St. Paul and the Gospel. We heard the story of a faith community, shattered by the crucifixion and transformed by the resurrection. An extraordinary man showed ordinary people by his resurrection from the dead that he was also the Son of God.
Not only have we gathered here to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but tonight we will soon celebrate the sacraments of initiation as well. We will witness the baptism of Gary Barrett and welcome Julie Tyrell into full communion. Then we will all be sprinkled with the baptismal water as we renew for ourselves the promises of our own baptisms.
Baptism is not just a symbolic ritual. Baptism effects a dramatic change in us. It means dying to our old self and being born with the intent to live “for God in Christ Jesus.” These are not just nice words. Baptism changes us inside and out. That is the fact whether or not we feel it. Paul said, “No longer do I live, but Christ lives in me.” In baptism we become children of God and heirs of heaven. For those being baptized today around the world, their past sins will be washed away. The white garment that they, including Gary, will receive is a reminder that they are now new persons.
The next time the Church will clothe us in white is when the pall is draped over our caskets as a reminder of our new life with God in heaven. The time in between is the time to grow in faith, hope, and love, a time to live and share our faith with others. With Christ’s spirit in us, we strive to carry on Christ’s mission to bring the whole world to him just as Peter and the early disciples did so long ago. As we welcome Gary and Julie into full communion in the Church, may the enthusiasm of their new faith be contagious. Then our whole community will be set on fire for Christ.
Of all the events in history, many would rank the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the most earthshaking one of all. How that happened cannot be explained but through eyes of faith we can grasp its impact on our lives. We now know that life for us goes beyond that span of time from the womb to the tomb. Just as a fetus spends time in a mother’s womb, emerging to new life through birth, the elect and candidates have spent time preparing to be born anew into our Catholic faith. All of us, who are baptized, should live this lifetime preparing to be born anew in the kingdom of God, a passage that will happen when we cross the threshold of death.
Just as growth for a baby doesn’t come to a stand still at birth, the faith of our elect and candidates have yet to reach its fullest potential. The same is true for the rest of us. The Easter mystery is a convincing reminder that Christ is with us now every step of the way through whatever trials we encounter in this lifetime until the moment comes when our tombs will be emptied and we stand in the fullest presence of God. Believing that we can be changed, that we can be infused with new life by the power of the resurrection, that we are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, we dare to sing alleluia! This is the night the Lord has made! My friends, let us rejoice and be glad!