This Feast of All Feasts
Our most important celebration, which culminates today on Easter Sunday, actually begins on Holy Thursday. It is called Triduum. (Triduum is taken from a Latin root that means “three days”.) This Feast of all Feasts brings the light of God to the world. We’ve just journeyed with Christ through his agony in the garden, his passion and crucifixion, leading to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil. We mark this Easter Vigil with seven readings of great celebration. (Seven has a significant meaning in the bible: it is a symbol of perfection).
As we recall our roots in the readings of Easter Vigil, we begin by listening to the story of God’s gift of life in the Genesis story of creation: the beginning of all light, the light that brought life to the universe. We then hear about Abraham, who holds in his heart God’s eternal promise of a family without measure, but who also faithfully trusts God and is willing to offer his greatest sacrifice, his son. Then in Exodus the ancient Israelites must trust God and the one that God has chosen, Moses, to give them (and, by extension, us) a path to follow to the Promised Land. Just as the ancient Israelites passed between the waters, so, too, are we passed through the waters of Baptism and are given new life in the promised land of God.
Yet as humanity grows and begins to stray, God always calls us back with forgiveness. In Isaiah we hear that even though the people turned from God and listened to those around them, God forgives and reaches out to us again and again, and loves us despite all our sins. Then again in Isaiah we hear the call to all, rich or poor, to come eat of the new life, to drink from the new cup, and to allow God to love all of us. Then the readings from Baruch remind us that no matter how far we stray or how we turn away from God, we are always encouraged to return, renew and to reestablish our lives with God. From Ezekiel, God calls us to rebirth with a new heart and a new spirit.
Through all of these readings we are called to live out our baptismal promise. We are given this new life, Christ yesterday and today, surrounded by the dazzling light of the resurrection. The light of Christ gives us hope. It gives us light on our journey and continues to call us to serve each other and to pray for the lives we touch. We are given the gift of the Eucharist to strengthen our lives and help us to continue to grow in knowledge and understanding. O God, help us bring the Joy of Christ to each person we meet today and every day. Christ is risen! Alleluia!
–Sue Unger
Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.