Imagine the scene- you’ve been waiting around all night for this very moment. The minutes and the hours drag on, and seem to lengthen with time as you approach what is presumed to be the moment that it will all come to be. Then- it happens. Slowly you begin to see the glimpse of what you’ve been waiting for. There is a faint glow on the horizon, which slowly turns from dark blue to light, then shades of orange emerge, with hues of pink, then finally, the very moment itself arrives: you see the sun begin to peak over the horizon.
That image, as common as it may be, likely causes some degree of nostalgia in each of us. We are familiar with this view, no matter where you were raised or where you grew up. It is just an experience that has to be quite glorious, even if it may be overlooked from time to time. Nonetheless, it is that magical transition that goes from darkness to light. Though in technical terms it may only be that transition, there is still a certain warmth that this moment of the sun first peaking over the horizon brings to us.
The liturgy as a whole this evening largely centers around this very same idea- the idea of light. From the very beginning of this liturgy, there has been a constant stream of light. At first, the church building is plunged in darkness, which is rather unusual. However, it is something we are altogether familiar with. The first reading from this evening, taken from the book of Genesis, speaks into this darkness as well. From the first moments of creation, there was a certain darkness. However, that darkness became even more profound, when the reality of sin entered into the world as well. It was from that first sin of Adam and Eve that the world was plunged in darkness.
However, it was not meant to be so forever. In our liturgy, there is the initial moment of flame- when the Easter fire is lit. It is at this very moment that we begin to see the dawning of salvation. This dawning is a profound moment, because it allows for something new to take root. There is a promise of hope- and a promise of deliverance, and we recognize that in the fire. It shows us that dawn is coming, though the light of dawn is not quite to us just yet.
In a very real way, this ties to the second reading we heard- which was the telling of the story of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. Not long ago, we heard of the Passover, and how this was the final straw for the Egyptians allowing the Israelites to go free. Yet, there was a moment of realization from the Egyptians, and they turned out and went after the Israelites. The Israelites cried out in panic at this sight, and then Moses in turn cries out to the Lord, because they are trapped by the Red Sea. So, the Lord gives Moses a command to go and to stretch his hand over the sea and to split it in two- so that the Israelites can pass through this obstacle. The Egyptians pursue them into the Red Sea, and yet that water eventually sweeps the Egyptians away, after the Israelites are safely on the other side. Though it may not look it, this is a moment of light- the Israelites are given hope and freedom through the cleansing power of water. Truly things are beginning to slowly brighten with the morning light.
Finally, we arrive at the third selection from the old Testament for this evening, and it is another passage from Isaiah. This invitation is quite simple- for those who are thirsty to come to the water. Those who have no money- to receive grain and eat. Come, without paying and without cost- drink wine and milk. This is truly a powerful image, and it actually shows something important about this coming dawn. It gives us what we truly want- and gives us renewal as well. It is no mistake that this is foreshadowing the sacrament of Baptism, because this is another moment of light, and it shows a very real transition point. As much as light penetrates and obliterates darkness, so does the water of baptism remove us from the life of old and restore us to new life. Thus, this water that Isaiah is referring to is the water of baptism- and it is paving the way to salvation in a very real way. It gives us the ability to be renewed, to be brought to the reality of heaven, and to truly be fertile with the word of God.
Yet, without the power of Resurrection, this would not be possible, just as the morning dawn is not possible without the sun emerging to make it also come to be as well. Thus, we come to the climax of this liturgy- when the Gloria is sung, lights are turned on, and candles are lit. It is at this moment we recognize that Christ has risen from the dead. The sun has truly broken free from the captivity it once had in darkness, and Christ has emerged from the silent and sealed tomb. Thus, we are invited into something new. The reality of this moment is that it shows us that death no longer has any power over us! Saint Paul and his letter to the Romans reminds us of the fact that we are baptized into His death- but also baptized into His life. We enter into the silent tomb and there, emerge with Christ in a very real and vivid way- much like we may see the morning sun come forward and bathe the entire world in light and in vibrant color.
Thus, we come to the moment that we have been preparing for for forty days and forty nights- the moment when Christ accomplishes His work of restoring salvation to all of us. The Gospel passage tells us of this moment- and just how shocking it was. Notice- those who approach the tomb are approaching in darkness, and in hopelessness. There is no expectation for what had occurred, and yet it does. The radical transformation happened while they were asleep, and Christ has broken the bonds of death- and not just for Himself, but for each of them and each of us as well. The disciples are astounded- and yet, filled with joy and with faith, because there is that announcement from the angel- that Jesus has been raised just as he said.
Yet, the consideration for us should not be to simply be passive viewers of such a mystical sight. We should not find ourselves just simply sitting and watching the sunrise on the horizon. Brothers and sisters, if we are to fully partake of this light, we are going to really be challenged to adopt this light into our hearts. First, we should realize the way that this called us or is calling us forward in baptism. We are called to pass through the Red Sea and into new life through the font of baptism as well.
This is a joyful calling- but we cannot just let it pass us by, nor can we be passive participants in such an event. Really, we should take this moment to be immersed in the warmth of the light of the Resurrection. It calls us to change our lives, and to live in the hope of what the Resurrection offers us. We are not called to live in the darkness or to live in slavery to sin any longer, but we are to chose to live in the light as children of the light as well.
Yet, there is a final calling for this as well. My brothers and sisters, often we find ourselves living in the tomb. Often this tomb may not look like an earthen tomb like we are used to. Sometimes it could be living in sadness and despair. Perhaps it is living in captivity to sin and to weakness. Perhaps it is simply living in a hopeless world, and feeling as if we are plunged in perpetual darkness- and we wonder if it may even be eternal. Yet, brothers and sisters- this is a dawning for each of us- not at just one moment in the past, not just here and now, but at every moment now, and into eternity as well.
We have been taken through the darkness and we are to emerge in the light. Brothers and sisters, may we each find in Christ that light that we are desiring to find, and may we be washed in that light that He gives us in His Resurrection. This is not just a sunrise, but this is His Resurrection – where we are provided with light, with hope, and with joy, not just here, not just on this night, but even into the halls of eternity, as we are given that hope of eternal day in the halls of heaven.
