The Great Vigil of Easter
March 22, 2008
The Reverend Monna Mayhall

Matthew 28:1-10

Ahh…It just doesn’t get much better than this – wonderful stories steeped in tradition and drama, told around a newly kindled fire;  passionate liturgy infused with beautiful music; baptisms…good company, and the first Eucharist of Easter yet to come…all celebrating this most joyous occasion –

I can’t imagine being anywhere else on this Saturday night.    

I haven’t always thought this though - The church I grew up in didn’t have Easter Eve Services. And I can remember the first one I ever experienced...I didn’t know exactly what to expect…and it seemed like it was one surprise after another, as I found myself wondering “what’s going to happen next?”

Matthew’s account of Jesus’ resurrection seems like that - one surprise after another – Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to see the tomb – maybe out of respect or they’re so grieved, they don’t where else to go. 

And when they get there, there’s an earthquake, and an angel rolls away the stone in front of the tomb, and sits on the stone. The angel invites them to look for themselves…Jesus isn’t in there…he’s risen.   

I imagine the women must have been surprised many times within a matter of moments –this is some emotional roller coaster …and they’re left wondering “what’s going to happen next?” They quickly leave in fear AND joy – and then all of a sudden they run into their risen Lord – and they fall to his feet and worship him. 

On their way to Galilee, the women experience the Resurrected Christ in their midst – they experience the face of life after death. 

Resurrection – it can take us by surprise because it’s something new…new creation – new life – new discoveries.  

There was an incident not too long ago in one of the Catechesis Sunday School classrooms with preschoolers. The class was just beginning, the children were sitting down on the rug, and the teacher reaches for the lesson of the Good Shepherd. 

Now if you’re not familiar with a catechesis curriculum, it uses small figures and such to help children learn. On this particular morning, the teacher brought out a miniature sheepfold – and the Jesus figure…

…Well, one little boy could hardly contain his excitement, and he said, “The good shepherd and the sheepfold…” and before the teacher could do anything else, the little boy reached for one of the tiny sheep, and exclaimed, “and this sheep is ME!”     

The early church experienced the living presence of Jesus in ways that empowered them to continually choose life in the face of death. They saw their lives in light of the power of the resurrection - unexpected life - grace that comes only from the presence of God. 

One well known author writes, “Receive every day as a resurrection from death, as a new enjoyment of life; meet every rising sun with such sentiments of God’s goodness, as if you had seen it, and all things new – created upon your account: and under the sense of so great a blessing.”    

Resurrections may take us by surprise, but they haven’t stopped happening since that first Easter Day when Jesus’ resurrection changed everything and brought us hope of everlasting life. Pain and suffering…sin and death…All are overcome by a power that knows no equal.   

Jesus’ ministry continues today…in our forgiving others, loving one another, helping each other, breaking bread together – in so many places, spaces, and faces we too, can experience the wonderful surprises of life through the power of the resurrection.        

          Alleluia, Christ is Risen

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!