In My Body, I Shall See God – Easter Vigil
Mass readings
Throughout the world tonight, Christians proclaim that the Lord is risen. They pass on what they heard from those who saw Him. Alleluia is the anthem we keep repeating, not to convince ourselves but to deal with it. When the Yankees win a game, the announcer repeats over and over “The Yankees win!, The Yankees win!” In our excitement, we do the same. Whether in something we rejoice or a disaster we try and deny, our repetition is our response.
From the earliest days, a story has been repeated that is different from our own. Initially, it was a simple rumor that the body had been stolen by the disciples. In our modern world, you’ll hear some claim that Jesus was resurrected in the collective memory of those who treasured His teaching. And when some one claims to find the bone of Jesus in a da Vinci Code style, even faithful Catholics are tuned in.
But, really, what’s the big deal? What does it matter if Jesus was raised only symbolically in the faith of believers? Wouldn’t that be good enough to inspire the good works of generations of Christians who built schools, hospitals and shelters?
Absolutely not. Literally, it would not be good enough. While our better virtues could be inspired by such a faith, our fallen nature would remain just that – fallen. In the resurrected human body of Jesus, our scarred humanity rises. What is easily destroyed by sin and death is now graced and victorious. From the Garden of Eden, things went wrong. Something more than good thoughts was needed. Humanity required redemption in the same way it lost its sanctity. In Christ, as an ancient prayer says, man redeems man, like is saved by like. This is the ultimate vaccine. This is total salvation – of soul, of mind and of body.
This morning, one of the greatest meditations written on this wonder is read at Tenebrae, a morning prayer on these three privileged days. It is a reflection on the harrowing of hell as the risen Christ descends to the prison our sins have fortified. And in our weakness of body and soul, by celebrating this night we know the beginnings of that freedom as well. This anonymous author writes:
Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.
He has gone to search for our first parents, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all”. Christ answered him: “And with your spirit”. He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light”.
I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be kept a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.
See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once so wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.
I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.
Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.