Archbishop's Homilies 2004

The Easter Vigil

Homily preached by Archbishop Denis Hart
at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne,
on Saturday, 10th April, 2004, at 8.00pm

Homily

My dear Brothers and Sisters,


The light which originates in the Easter fire and comes from the Paschal Candle and represents Christ is among us to show that each of us must make their first step towards the light. This is true of the babies who are being baptised and who will be nourished in the faith of their parents and of the members of the neo-catechumenal communities, who have now completed the way and come vested in the white robes, as a reminder to all of us that they wish to live fully in the light of Christ.

For each of us on this night there is a singular passing from death to life. Truly it is a point of arrival from which we will never turn back and of departure to a new life with the Saviour. Saint John reminds us that “in Jesus was life and the life was the light of men.”

The whole Church focuses on Christ and we are reminded of our baptism as tonight we celebrate the baptism of some children. Baptism means that Jesus risen remains the greatest power in our life: for growth and renewal, for hope.

The light which comes from fire and the water of baptism lead us through the Red Sea to a new life. The challenge which Saint Paul gives to us, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were buried with him by baptism into death so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6.3-4)

This is no mere commemoration. It is a real invitation and challenge to walk with Christ, risen from the dead, who will never die again. What we must not forget is that Christ is risen and he is with us. Tidings of great joy, which challenge us to live in the light which only our Saviour gives. We seek for Jesus among the dead and are reminded that he is risen.

The faith that he gives is no mere memorial. It is the living and walking in his presence, nourished by Word and Sacrament, on a journey which will be filled with hope and glory. In the midst of a troubled world we are radiant in that hope, filled with tidings of great joy; transformed because Christ, our Passover, is risen and we too have passed over from death to life with him. Alleluia!

 

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.