Mark 16:1-8
EASTER VIGIL SERMON 04-07-12
Romans 6:3-11
Mark 16:1-8
Wereceive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified,proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood. This night is a very special evening for manyreasons. It is the first Eucharist ofEaster. It is the baptism of two youngwomen who have been a part of our community for some time. It is my first baptisms as a priest. It is the first time Chloe and Elizabeth willreceive communion. It is a new day inthe life of this parish. The context ofbaptism is powerful and tonight we sing Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
HolyBaptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, theChurch. The Rite of Baptism has changedquite a bit over the centuries, but on this night, we intentionally recapturethe earliest tradition of the Rite. Thebaptismal font is located at the door, the entrance into the church, because itis by the waters of Baptism, that we enter into the community. Tonight is especially appropriate for baptismbecause the first initiates into the Christian faith were prepared for baptismduring the long Lenten season, and their preparation culminated in baptism atthe Vigil.
Whata glorious night for these two and for the entire community who has been baptizedin the same waters. In the Church,regardless of the flavor, denomination, or location, we all pass through thewaters of baptism and enter the great community of believers. We share a common bond and because of thattie, we share a mutual responsibility to each other.
Weeach have a great responsibility to new initiates in the faith, and theChurch’s new initiates have a great responsibility to the Body of Christ. Each of us has a task ahead of us, which is tohelp the newly baptized grow in a deeper love and commitment to Christ. Walkingin newness of life in the household of God is a communal journey. These two young women, like each of us cannottake this journey on their own. Theyneed our witness to the new life we have received in Christ. They need our love, our support, and ourprayers.
Likethem, we need each other as we walk in newness of life. The Body of Christ is a new community. We are followers of Jesus and we gather tostrengthen our bonds of affection, so that we may proclaim the Risen Lord, toshout that the tomb is empty. Our faithproclamation to the world is “Alleluia, the Lord is Risen, The Lord is Risenindeed, Alleluia!” All of gathered here, and Christiansthroughout the entire world, have committed to Chloe and Elizabeth and to eachother, that we who have witnessed these baptismal vows, will do all in our powerto support each other.
Wepromise to uphold those new to the faith, and they have promised to bring theirSpiritual Gifts alongside ours, so that we might together serve the least,lost, and lonely among us and wherever they may be found. We are all gifted by the same Holy Spirit whosealed us in Baptism and marked as Christ's own forever. That same Spirit equips each of us with giftsof service, leadership, wisdom, giving, and so much more. I believe these two young women and each oneof us here are gifted, strengthened, and filled with the Spirit to bring thelight of Christ into the world.
Onthis night, we gathered in darkness into which a new fire, the fire and lightof the Crucified one, was once again rekindled and shone brightly in our midst. We carried that light forward and from it, eachof us lit a solitary candle representing the light of Christ in us, and our ownlight that shines in the world. It isthis light from which Chloe and Elizabeth lit their baptismal candles. It is this light sparked in them this eveningand in each of us at our own baptism, which will be carried out into the world;a world fraught with darkness and despair.
Ourlives are to be illuminated by the light of Christ and by its brightness, we willchange the world. It is our faith that reflecthope and grace into a world fraught with pain, uncertainty, and despair. Words spoken earlier tonight still ring inour ears as we will soon celebrate this first Eucharist of Easter. These words clearly declare the mission ofthe Church as she proclaims the Good News of God in Christ, “Rejoice and singnow, all the round earth, bright with a glorious splendor, for darkness hasbeen vanquished by our eternal King. Togetherwe are the Church, together we are one Body, and together we are the householdof God. Together we are sent out toproclaim the love of God, the reconciliation of creation, the empty tomb, theresurrection of Christ. “Alleluia,Christ is risen. The Lord is risenindeed, Alleluia.”
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