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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2010 /  The story of our salvation needs to be told

by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published March 26, 2010

Since I have commented on the readings assigned for Easter Sunday each year, I decided to write about some of the readings for the Easter Vigil.

First Reading: Genesis 1:1 - 2:2 (short version Genesis 1:1, 26-31a)
The story of creation begins the whole Bible. Many elements of this story are used in the telling of the final recreation in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible.

If you ask too many scientific questions from the text, you will miss the power of the narrative. The first three days prepare a place for position the objects in the corresponding and following three days. The seventh day concludes the story. The second day of creation, the creation of the water above and the water and below, is not said to be "good" by God. The waters above and below will inundate the earth (see Genesis 7:11). A second act of creation by God will occur later. Both the third and sixth days will mention that creation was "good" twice. In fact, the final "good" will be "very good." That makes the number of times that "good" is mentioned is seven, the number of days. So is the creation of God – very good, indeed!

The balance of the narration is part of the story! God puts things in order. Sin disturbs the order and mixes the elements, which have been given their own place. Thus, the Great Flood will occur when mankind becomes wicked (Genesis 6:5). That is probably why the Second Day, the separation of the waters above and the waters below, was not called "good."

I do not know how it is to create something, like God did. But I can remember working in shop class in high school and making a small wooden bowl. It took quite an effort to do it. I had never worked with wood so carefully before. We had to make our own design, pick out the wood, cut out the form, gouge out a hollow, smooth it, stain it and cover it with polyurethane. I was pretty proud of it! That took me almost the whole semester to do. It was to be a candy dish, and I presented it to my parents. Then, horrors! My older brother used it as an ashtray! That destroyed its fine appearance, which I had worked so hard and long to make.

I wonder whether God felt something like I did, when humankind committed sin and disrupted His gift that He presented to us in creation. What do you think?

Second Reading: Genesis 22:1-18
The sacrifice of Isaac is called the Aqedah, "the binding," by the Jews. With the willingness to sacrifice his son, born of Sarah, Abraham receives a blessing as God halts the act (verses 17-18). Early Christian teachers saw a type of Christ in this story. Christ, the Son of God, died so that "all the nations of the Earth shall find blessing" (Genesis 22:18), the promise made to Abraham. A ram was offered in the place of the son of Abraham, just as Christ was offered for those who were the spiritual descendants of Abraham. Abraham prophesied that God Himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust. Especially in the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation, Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29,36).

Mout Moriah, the place where Abraham was led, was connected by tradition to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The huge bare stone under the Dome of the Rock, a mosque for private prayer in Jerusalem today, is honored as this biblical place.

Third Reading: Exodus 14:15 - 15:1
The reading of the crossing of the Red Sea is required for the Easter Vigil. The same word which began creation in Genesis 1:2, "mighty wind," is used here, "strong (East) wind," to create the dry land for the Israelites. The word "dry land" is repeated four times for emphasis. The "sea," representing what existed before God began His creation in Genesis 1, is repeated 12 times. The mighty power of Pharaoh was not able to overcome the chaotic sea, but the power of God provided dry land for the crossing of His people. The "power of the Egyptians" was no match for "the power God had shown against the Egyptians."

The story of the Exodus is epitomized in this event. It became the basis for the hope of the People of God throughout the centuries against forces that threatened to overwhelm them. That hope, even if it took a very long time to be fulfilled, was never in vain.

Fourth Reading: Romans 6:3-11
The Letter to the Romans is the longest and the most developed teaching of the Pauline literature. Paul begins this reading with the Paschal mystery: "death … buried … raised … live in newness of life." It is not only for Christ Jesus. Paul asserts that "we shall also be united with Him in the Resurrection." Throughout this reading, there is a repeated contrast between "life" and "death." Christ "lives for God." Paul tells the Romans that they, too, should "think of yourselves" as "living for God in Christ Jesus." Paul uses the active sense, that they are already enjoying the effects of Christ's singular act, since He "dies no more." Gospel: Luke 24:1-12 The Gospel for the Easter Vigil is the continuation of the Gospel reading for Palm Sunday, which was the Passion Narrative. It follows the three cycles through the Synoptic Gospels. This year, the focus is on the Gospel according to Luke.

The Gospel begins "on the first day of the week," just like the Bible, the first reading from the Book of Genesis. However, there will be no new day. Theologically, it is the Eighth Day, the Day of the Lord, the day that has no end. Evening will occur, but there is no mention of night again.

"Two men" appeared to the women. The men reflect the pairs of disciples, whom Jesus "sent ahead of Him" (Luke 10:1). The mission of the Church is to "announce all these things," just as the women did "to the Eleven and to all the others." They were to convince others to go and see for themselves, just as Peter did at the end of this passage. The description of the two men "in dazzling garments" recalls the Transfiguration of Jesus in Luke 9:29. There were also "two men," who conversed with Jesus on the mountain of the Transfiguration.

The word "remember" is mentioned twice in this reading. It is an important biblical theme. It is not simply recalling an event in the mind. It is making that past event meaningful and present now. It is the same work that the Church does in offering the Mass: "Do this in memory of Me." The Scriptures are not a record of a long dead civilization. They are the foundation for an everlasting vision and goal of things to come. Alleluia! He is risen. Happy Easter!

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.