THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS

 

Homily for Easter Vigil, Year C

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

A story was once told of a group of miners who were trapped deep underground in a collapsed mine. They were in total darkness for days. After they had been rescued, one of them recalled that the turning point came when they saw a glimmer of light - a rescue lamp breaking through the tunnel. That light did not just mean visibility; it meant life, hope, salvation. In many ways, the Easter Vigil is the Church’s rescue lamp breaking into the dark tunnels of sin, doom, and death, shining with the radiance of Christ who is risen.

Tonight, the Church leads us on a sacred journey - from darkness into light, from death to life. The service begins in darkness taking us back to that period before creation. Then the Paschal Candle is lit - “Lumen Christi” - and from it, every other candle draws its flame. The light spreads, symbolizing Christ, the Light of the World, breaking the power of sin and death.

The reading from the book of Genesis 1:1-2:2 tells us how God created the world, beginning with light. But tonight, we celebrate a new creation - the Resurrection of Jesus - through whom God makes all things new (2 Cor 5:17; Rev 21:5). Jesus is the “firstborn from the dead” (Col 1:18), the light that darkness could not overcome (John 1:5).

In Exodus 14:15-15:1, we heard of the Israelites’ dramatic crossing of the Red Sea. This is the foundational story of liberation in the Old Testament - a people rescued not by their own power but by the mighty hand of God. The Easter Vigil places this reading at the center to connect it to our Christian Passover. Jesus is the New Moses who leads us through the waters of Baptism, not just from Egypt to Canaan, but from sin to grace, from death to eternal life. As St. Paul reminds us in Romans 6:3-11, in Baptism we die with Christ and rise with him. The Resurrection is not a symbolic event. It is the reality that changes everything. We are no longer slaves to sin. We are free.

Throughout the other Old Testament readings which we will be read tonight, the prophets proclaim hope, mercy, and a new covenant. Isaiah 55 tells us of God’s generous offer of salvation: “Come to the waters... Listen, so that you may live.” These promises find their fulfilment in Jesus, whose Resurrection confirms that death is not the end and that God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). Baruch 3 reminds us that true wisdom is found in God’s law - a law now written not on tablets of stone, but on hearts transformed by the Spirit of the Risen Christ.

The climax of the Vigil is the Gospel of the Resurrection. The women go to the tomb early in the morning, expecting to anoint a dead body. But the angelic messengers declare, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; He is risen!” (Luke 24:5-6). This is not merely a declaration about a past event. It is a present and eternal reality. The Resurrection is not just proof of Jesus’ divinity; it is the assurance of our destiny. Death has been defeated. Our faith is not in vain. As St. Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile... but Christ is risen from the dead” (1 Cor 15:17, 20).

Dear friend, I would like you to personalize the resurrection. Jesus did not just rise. He rose for you. To give your suffering meaning, to redeem your sin, and to conquer your death. Therefore, like the women at the tomb, we are called not to linger in fear or confusion, but to proclaim boldly that Christ is alive. In addition to making the resurrection personal, I would also like you to make it your mission. We are now witnesses, called to spread the light of Christ in a world still shadowed by death, hatred, despair, and division.

Lastly, on the course of tonight’s celebration, we will renew our baptismal promises - rejecting Satan and all his empty show - and declare our allegiance to Christ who lives forever. Then we will come to the altar to partake of the Eucharist: the Risen Christ giving us himself as the Bread of Life. Let us go forth with joy, not just because Christ is risen - but because we too will rise with him. Let our lives be a living Alleluia, echoing the angel’s message, “He is not here. He is risen!”