3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes
Easter Vigil is the greatest Mass in the Church year. Not only is it the first celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, that night we typically also welcome new folks into Christ’s Catholic Church. If you have never attended an Easter Vigil, I eagerly invite you to experience its beauty at least once. My favorite liturgical moment in the entire year is probably the beginning of the Easter Vigil.
The Easter Candle is blessed and lit from the blessed Easter Fire outside and then carried into the darkened church. The deacon holds that candle in the doorway and chants “The Light of Christ.” The people reply, “Thanks be to God,” and then the priest lights his small candle from the Easter Candle. The procession continues to the center of the church and the proclamation is chanted again (“The Light of Christ” … “Thanks be to God”) then the altar servers light their candles with the Easter Candle’s light. Those servers then light the candles of the congregants, who then light the candles of their neighbors, and so on, until everyone’s candles are lit. The proclamation is chanted for a third time, before the altar, the people respond, and then the Easter Candle is placed in its holder beside the ambo and all the lights in the church are turned on. That night begins in darkness. But then the light of Christ, the light of our Faith, enters in. Our light comes from his light, and we help one another’s candles to be lit.
In today’s first reading, we hear Isaiah foretell a prophesy about the region of Galilee in Northern Israel: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing….” Today’s Gospel affirms that Jesus fulfills that prophesy: “When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea… that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled. …And from that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’” Next we see Jesus calling others to follow him. He invites the fishermen Simon and Andrew, James, and John, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They were called to remain close to Jesus, to learn from him, love him, and serve him, and to draw others to Christ and help those people remain in Christ. That is our calling too. To be lit by his light and help in lighting others.
How can you remain close and aflame with Christ? First, Jesus gives us his Sacraments. Faithfully, consistently, commune with him through his Holy Eucharist. And reconcile with him (as needed) through his Sacrament of Penance. Next, learn from Jesus. Listen to him speak through his Inspired Scriptures, the Bible. Listen to him speak through his Holy Church, particularly in the Catechism and (in another sense) through the writings of his saints. Also, spend time with Jesus in prayer. Pray with others (your spouse, your kids, your friends) but also pray alone, here at church and at home, not only speaking but also devoting time to let him speak. And unite with Jesus through Christian service, not only for your household but for our spiritual family, the Church. In these and other ways, you can stay brightly lit by Jesus Christ’s light and help to share his precious light with others.
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