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EASTER VIGIL 2007



The Holy Sepulchre


The Holy Sepulchre


Easter Vigil readings


THOUGHT




HAVE FAITH



As I was preparing my reflections I was amazed and moved by the fact at how the narrations of Our Lords Resurrection in each of the 4 Gospels even though seen from various perspectives and containing minor differences in the details, still transmit the same message:


On Easter Sunday Mary Magdalene, John the beloved disciple, Peter and Mary the mother of James physically saw Jesus the Risen Lord.


I cant imagine that the four Apostles sat together and concocted such a fairytale where one said to the other You say this and Ill say that and that such a myth has survived for 2000 years.


Sometimes I have the feeling in the world today there is a tendency to equalise all religions and their messages: but here the story of Jesus is incomparable with any other faith.


Jesus literally told us who he is: such a statement has never been made before or since in the history of the world. He actually came among us, He taught, He healed the sick and raised the dead. He suffered and died for us and on the third day rose from the dead making it possible for us to be with Him in Heaven.


It is simply overwhelming.


It is easy to loose sight of the basic facts of our faith as we try to comprehend this unfathomable Paschal Mystery and at the same time cope in the reality of our daily lives and the problems we have to confront.


PRAYER



Heavenly Father, we ask you on this special night that Christ your Son may truly be the Light of our lives in the darkness of this world where you have placed us.


We pray that your Light may shine within our families everywhere especially those in areas afflicted by war, conflict, natural disasters and poverty. Help us that we may see your Son in those who are in need in our global society. Lord, help me to get out of my comfort zone and be a Christian not just in name but rather in deed.


Lord Jesus I pray for the gift of Faith in you as my Lord and Saviour. I thank you for the redemption you have lovingly and generously given to the world through your death and resurrection and I consecrate my heart and my life to you this Easter and for the remainder of my life.


Amen


SONG OF REFLECTION



Fr Kev Bates sm Arise and Shine



This beautiful song of reflection composed by my friend Fr Kev Bates SM is about the Paschal Mystery and comes from the 1980 album Passover Saturday.


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MUSIC TO HELP US ON OUR WAY



The very ancient text and hymn.


Let all mortal flesh keep silent



Let all mortal flesh keep silence,

And with fear and trembling stand;

Ponder nothing earthly minded,

For with blessing in His hand,

Christ our God to earth descendeth,

Our full homage to demand.


King of kings, yet born of Mary,

As of old on earth He stood,

Lord of lords, in human vesture,

In the body and the blood;

He will give to all the faithful

His own self for heavenly food.


Rank on rank the host of heaven

Spreads its vanguard on the way,

As the Light of light descendeth

From the realms of endless day,

That the powers of hell may vanish

As the darkness clears away.


At His feet the six winged seraph,

Cherubim with sleepless eye,

Veil their faces to the presence,

As with ceaseless voice they cry:

Alleluia, Alleluia

Alleluia, Lord Most High!


Liturgy of St. James, 4th Century, translated from Greek to English by Gerard Moultrie, 1864.
Music: Picardy, French carol melody; harmony from The English Hymnal, 1906


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GENTLE MUSIC



W.A. Mozart Laudate Dominum



Charlotte Pistor soprano Eva Kastner harp and used with their kind permission.


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W.A. Mozart Alleluja from Exsultate Jubilate kv 165




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Amazing Grace trad.



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