On the morning of Easter Vigil, I woke feeling as if my vision had cleared. Everything looked in vivid silhouette. It reminded me of when I was in the third grade, and a doctor, for the first time, put a pair of glasses on my face. Then I thought, ‘Wow, those leaves have so many veins.’ Now I thought, ‘The world is sparkling.’
The church (actually it was Angelica Aguilera, in charge of Faith Formation at St Vincent, now my godmother, who made the suggestion) had invited me to read from the book of Exodus at the beginning of Vigil. I was thrilled. It seemed a perfect bridge between my new life and my old, between the Old Testament and the New, between the God of the prophets and the Son of God. Plus the passage was all about eating greens, and as a vegan, well, I couldn’t stop smiling whenever I read it.
There were many highlights of the service. The choir was magnificent, and for days after I heard their voices singing hymns in my head. The well-wishers were so many, and so lovely. One told me afterward that seeing the radiance and joy on my face made her wish she had not been baptized at birth, so she could experience it as an adult.
But for me, the highlight was the homily by Father Dennis. Reverend Dennis Gonzales told me once that he came to this country from the Philippines as a nurse, at Sibley Hospital in Washington DC. He felt himself drawn to the priesthood, and enrolled in seminary. In my mind, this — plus maybe listening to confessions — gives him a special understanding of the issues of his parish — health and death, turmoil and life.
He stepped away from the altar, came down the steps to address us. And he said:
Resurrection is the focal point of our faith – his suffering, his death, found meaning in his Resurrection. This is not just a ceremony to attend once a year. This is our reality. When Jesus Christ rose from death, he made everything new. Jesus raised everything and made things new. Tonight, my brothers & sisters, let us not remain in the tomb. In life we experience little deaths —grieving, painful divorce, illness, financial concern, no sense of direction, hard on ourselves, we always say yes, we don’t relax— all those things bury us. Today let us make ourselves new. This is the meaning of the Resurrection. Join Jesus Christ in the celebration of Easter. I will not give a long homily but I will give you homework. Whatever are those things in life that prevent you from moving forward, that stop you from enjoying life in a good way to the fullest, today attach ourselves to Jesus and identify solutions to those concerns. Call the Lord into your lives. Ask him to allow you to be joyful. Jesus Christ died for us. He wanted us to have freedom while we are still on Earth. As John wrote, Jesus died for you my friends so that you will lead your life to the fullest.”
The next day, on Easter Sunday, a friend took me to her church, where they pray the mass in Latin. Apparently this practice was largely dropped by Catholic churches in the 1970s, and it was missed. So a few years ago Pope Benedict reminded the faithful that the Latin Mass had been made optional during that period, not outlawed. Some churches brought it back, including Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lantana, FL, which also offers services in Polish and Vietnamese. I found the service reverential, respectful, even meditative. No one talked beforehand, deep in contemplation or prayers. Most women wore lace head pieces. The priests intoned quietly.
But next Sunday I look forward to returning to St. Vincent Ferrer, where I can sing a full-floated Hosanna and participate in the rites of communion in the church that welcomed me, instructed me and showed me the glories of community. Amen.
You are beaming! 🥰
Such a beautiful homily