HOLY EASTER VIGIL NIGHT SKY

Today is Holy Saturday.

Easter Vigil will take place tonight all around the world.

The "Elect" will be received officially and fully into the Roman Catholic Church tonight.  

They will become part of a diverse and wonderful ("crazy"!) family of faith comprising millions and millions of people under one night sky.  

Thanks be to God for the "foolishness" of their faith, of my faith, of our faith. (1Corinthians 1:18). 

This year, for the first time, I will be participating as an RCIA sponsor.  I am so happy.  I'm thinking of this quote below from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI:

"Human life is a journey.  Towards what destination?  How do we find the way?  Life is like a voyage on the sea of history, often dark and stormy, a voyage in which we watch for the stars that indicate the route... Holy Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, teach us to believe, to hope, to love with you.  Show us the way to his Kingdom!  Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!"  (Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi).

Thank you LORD for bringing me (for bringing us all) to this night.  Even though it be one happening in the middle of a re-surging Covid-19 pandemic.  Keep us all safe as we make our way to the church tonight, while there, and as we make our way home. Amen.

Continuing, RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a mysterious and beautiful journey.  

The reasons people make this journey are as many as the number of stars in the night sky.  

I had my reasons.  And I did not make the journey alone even though it felt that way sometimes.  When we Catholics (when we all) feel alone we just  need to "Look Up". 

My prayer for the elect (especially for Tom), for sponsors, for family and friends, for their significant others, and for the dedicated church staff guiding and walking with us all is taken from the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict the 16th (above).  Special words for me personally that I discovered on my own journey.  

Tonight I savour them again and share them with you.

Cb

P.S. 

An Easter Weekend movie recommendation for you comes via my old Jesuit spiritual director, Fr. Doug+, God rest his precious soul. Careful he's a wily spiritual director!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHcQF8LNvfE

 

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