CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! (Easter Vigil 2023)

 

Olivia, Chelsea, Sara, Dara, and Britanny, you are about to become a statistic!

That doesn’t sound flattering, I know. Nobody wants to be a mere statistic. But tonight it’s wonderful and important, not only for you, but for the whole Church.

An opinion poll published on Wednesday found that only 49.3 per cent of your fellow Canadians answered “strongly” or “somewhat” when asked whether they believe in God. Already you have responded with a with a strong “yes” to the question.

But that’s just a start to your new place in Canadian society.

Sad as it is to know that half of the population doesn’t believe that God exists, it isn’t particularly new—the figure hasn’t changed much over the past few years. And I wasn’t surprised that it’s common for Canadians to believe in God and feel unattached to their religion. We’ve all heard someone say, “I’m spiritual but not religious.”

But the poll reports something astonishing: many Canadians doubt that God exists, even to the point of atheism, while still feeling closely attached to their religion.

I never thought I’d hear “I’m religious but not spiritual.” Yet apparently some people can question their belief in God without questioning their religion, according to the president of the Canadian Studies Association that commissioned the research.

The poll also measured attachment to religious groups. Three-quarters of Sikhs and 40 per cent of Jews say they are very attached. Tragically, Catholics come out last. Just 17.8 per cent said they felt “very attached” to their religion. (Remember, of course, that these are self-identified Catholic respondents, not the average people in the pew.)

Tonight, you will stand before family, friends, and this community to profess not only your faith in God but your faith in his Church—your personal decision to become part of a community that has been called “a messy family.” As on a wedding day, you are promising to be faithful in good times and in bad; you are joining with all your heart that 17.9 per cent minority and doing so with eyes wide open.

Whether through Baptism or entering into full communion with the Church, you are taking a big risk. But unlike those who became Catholics as infants, you won’t be able to say you weren’t warned.

The very first reading of our long Vigil, from the Book of Genesis, already presents a challenge to modern Christians, in just one sentence: “God created man in his image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” As you know, holding fast to this truth, once universally accepted, can now lead you to misunderstanding and even persecution.

The second reading tells you that God can be very demanding. He does not always act in the way humans expect. Doing what God asks can be painful. That’s why it’s important not to miss the last sentence of the reading, which promises great blessings to those who obey God’s voice.

Our third reading, the story of the Exodus, also sounds a note of warning for those who wish to be faithful Christians and for you five joining the Church tonight. The modern Pharaohs and their armies may well come after you as you follow the pillar of fire toward freedom and God’s plan for you.

At this point, you might be thinking that I am trying to frighten or discourage you. I want to reassure you that you are not only going to face challenges: you are also becoming part of a religion that has over many centuries “inspired the greatest achievements of the human creative mind” as columnist Rex Murphy said in today’s National Post.

He says “Religion is so often disparaged. Easy minds cast easy abuse at its failings and faults. With some justification.” But he goes on to celebrate the work of  artists, composers, musicians, writers, and poets who were inspired by their Christian belief. To which I might add missionaries, teachers, philanthropists... and martyrs.

Rex Murphy, not a practicing Catholic as far as I know, concludes by saying Easter is a time to be “eternally, grateful” for centuries of inspiration, beauty, and excellence.”

So, dear friends, even as Christians in this modern den of lions you will have your admirers and defenders.

But back to Exodus. The story begins with a flight from Pharaoh’s chariots; but it ends in victory and triumph. That’s beautifully underlined by the song of victory that followed the reading: “Let us sing to the Lord, he has covered himself in glory.” The Lord is sovereign, mighty, and victorious: if we join his people in leaving Egypt for the Promised Land, he will look after us on the journey.

The fifth reading offers the same assurances but in more detail and in gentler language. However, it too challenges you who are about to be baptized and confirmed. Though the reading is rich in promises, it also asks some very pointed questions.

Why do you spend money for that which is not bread? Why do you work for that which doesn’t satisfy?

This prophecy from Isaiah tells us we must think the way God thinks, not the way the world thinks, because God’s thoughts are not ours, and the world’s thoughts are not his. The life of faith requires a new set of values and a new attitude, even to ordinary things, such as finances and work. When we are baptized we put on Christ, as St. Paul says to the Galatians (Gal 3:27). He tells the Corinthians that this means having the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).

This really may be the hardest thing of all for the young modern Catholic. Thanks to massive changes in the world, this is probably the smartest generation in history when it comes to knowledge and information. But it seems we have lost much wisdom along the way. Happily, among the gifts of the Holy Spirit that you, our catechumens and candidates, will receive in Confirmation tonight will be those of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

Our Old Testament Vigil readings reach their climax in the bold prophecy of Ezekiel. However hard the way ahead may be for faithful Christians, however much darkness descends on our world, the Lord will act for the sake of his holy name, as the prophet says.

The Lord who cleanses us from our idols and who gives us a new spirit and heart is at the center of everything tonight. He will guide and lead us where we need to go, and make us his people.

We travelled a long way between tonight’s first reading to the Epistle and Gospel. I haven’t left myself much time to address them; but perhaps they speak for themselves, at least to you Sara, Chelsea, Olivia, Dara and Britanny. You are beginning a new walk with God, a walk in newness of life. You are leaving your old self behind that you might become a new creation.

All these promises, all these challenges, and all your hopes are unshakable because of one thing. That one thing is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. St. Paul says boldly that if Christ has not been raised, then “we are of all people most to be pitied.”

But in fact we are of all people most blessed. That blessing, though, comes with a responsibility. The gifts of grace you will receive tonight, Chelsea, Sara, Olivia, Dara, and Britanny are meant to be shared with others. You are called, each in your own circumstances, to reach out to the 50.7 per cent of Canadians who do not know God and his love, as you do.

You are called also to share your joy with the 82.2 per cent of Catholics who are not engaged in the Church, as you are.

All the while, find strength in what the Lord said to his disciples on the first Easter and says this Easter to you: “Do not be afraid.”

The image of Christ appearing to Mary is from the JESUS MAFA series, a response to the New Testament by a Christian community in Cameroon, Africa. Texts were selected and adapted to dramatic interpretation by the community members. Photographs of their interpretations were made, and these were then transcribed to paintings. Dramatically picturesque, this painting of John’s resurrection narrative captures the moment when Mary recognizes Jesus outside the tomb.