Easter Vigil – B

It has been a long road for Katy, Jack, Tricia, Beth, Anabelle, and Mike since they first felt the invitation from God to become members of our Church. They first prayerfully considered whether this invitation was really from God and not merely a product of their imaginations. They prayed, and with the courage that is the gift of the Holy Spirit they went beyond themselves and came to the Church to express their desire to join us. They patiently continued to discern their vocation, and they patiently continued to study, reflect, and learn more about our faith. Most importantly, they prayed, they remained open to the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives, they formed a small community of disciples of the Lord, and now they are ready to receive the gifts God desires to share with them tonight in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

Like a graduation, tonight is a milestone and a moment of accomplishment for Katy, Jack, Tricia, Beth, Anabelle, and Mike. They are now about to become fully initiated as members of the Catholic Church. Like a graduation, tonight is also a beginning as Katy, Jack, Tricia, Beth, Anabelle, and Mike embark on a new chapter in their lives, recalling the great things God has done for them in the past, celebrating the gifts he shares in this present moment, and looking forward to a lifetime of praying and celebrating the sacraments, learning about and also sharing our faith, and dedicating their lives to service and outreach in the name of Jesus and His Church.

Katy, Jack, Tricia, Beth, Anabelle, and Mike are all unique individuals, each with their own story, each with a unique journey of faith that has brought them here tonight. But their story is also our story as we all can relate to them through our shared experience as individuals and as members of the Church. Tonight Katy, Jack, Tricia, Beth, Anabelle, and Mike represent all of us. They are men and women. Some are young and others not as young as they used to be. They are single and married, parents of young children and parents of grown children. They have been around enough to have an experienced and realistic view of life, and they are joyful in a contagious way that is capable of restoring the joy of our youth. Katy, Jack, Tricia, Beth, Anabelle, and Mike are here tonight to grasp our hands and to be embraced by us and to walk by our side as we participate in the mystery of salvation which we have recalled in our liturgy tonight.

Tonight we rejoice as Katy, Jack, Tricia, Beth, Anabelle, and Mike join us in recalling the great gift of God's creation, in recalling the covenant God made with Abraham and with Moses, in recalling the fidelity of God's love expressed by the prophets, and in recalling the incomprehensible love of God revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And if these gifts were not enough, God now shares His life, and promises eternal life, and asks us to continue His work as His adopted sons and daughters in the life of the Church and especially in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

Our journey through the forty-day season of Lent is now over. There is nothing to hold us back now from singing “Alleluia” and embracing fully the joy of Easter.

Katy, Jack, Tricia, Beth, Anabelle, and Mike, the time of your preparation and your waiting is now complete. Come to the water. Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Come to the feast.

Thomas P. Ferguson
April 15, 2006