The Hope of the Resurrection
Saturday, April 4th Readings Reflection: Holy Saturday At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
Today is a day of waiting as the whole world holds its breath in mourning and anticipation. After His death on the Cross, Christ’s body lay in the tomb; in a similar manner, the tabernacles in our churches are empty, a harsh reminder of what we commemorate today. Tonight, our churches will once again be filled with light and the bells and organ will sound once again, but until then, we wait in silence and darkness.
In the Creed, we acknowledge that Christ descended into Hell on this day. This primarily refers to the Bosom of Abraham, where the souls of the just were awaiting the Messiah. As Christ’s Body lay in the tomb, His soul descended to the Bosom of Abraham to announce His victory over sin and death to the just souls awaiting Him there.
St. Thomas Aquinas explains that Christ’s death also touched Purgatory and the Hell of the damned. In regard to Purgatory, Christ’s death brought the suffering souls hope, because now they could enter Heaven once their time of purification was complete. In regard to the Hell of the lost, Christ’s death shamed the damned souls for their unbelief, by which they had freely merited to never share in the fruits of His death and Resurrection. For those spiritually alive in grace, Christ’s Passion and Death is a victory, the very means of salvation. However, for those who refuse this life of grace, Christ’s Passion and Death stand as an eternal conviction of their free choice to reject grace and forfeit salvation.
In the Gospel for the beautiful Easter Vigil Mass tonight, we hear the angel tell the women at Christ’s tomb to not be afraid. Because of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection, we need not fear death. Just as the risen Christ went before His Apostles into Galilee, so too He has gone before us through death into eternal life. His Resurrection is not merely an historical event that affected those living in a certain region at a certain time in history; His Resurrection is for each and every one of us until the end of time.
Because of Christ’s Resurrection, we are able to hope for our own our resurrection at the end of the world. Because of Christ’s Resurrection, we are able to hope for our own eternity in the Beatific Vision. Just as the Paschal candle lights up the darkened church, spreading the light of Christ among the faithful, so too Christ’s Resurrection spreads the light of hope to all those who are willing to accept His grace. We need not be afraid, for Christ has conquered sin and death and has reconciled us to the Father.
Resurrexit sicut dixit! He has risen as He said! Alleluia!
