YOU WERE CREATED OUT OF LOVE. From all eternity God had you in mind. His heavenly eternity will not be complete without you. He made you to know Him, love Him and serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.
Know well that there is only one you. There never has been another you, there is no other you, and there will never be another you.
You are unique, irreplaceable, personally cherished by Jesus Christ. The Savior has tender love for you.
Remember that you are priest, prophet and king. Every person, man, woman and child is made in the Image and Likeness of Almighty God.
Our baptism calls us to be priest - to bring the message of eternal salvation to others.
We are called to be prophet - to witness to others of the good news of God and His Kingdom, and that Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God.
We are called to be king - we are royal descendants - EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US - members of the family of God.
Hold fast to this knowledge, brave soul. Life may seem to be confusing, harsh, unjust. However, in the end God will prevail.
Turn to Him in all your needs, and remember in every circumstance - especially the most difficult - that JESUS CHRIST HAS TENDER LOVE FOR YOU AND WILL NEVER FAIL YOU.
Remember that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. Light a candle to remind yourself of this glorious fact. If you have no candle, or are unable to do so, why then, light the love of your heart for Him as your candle.
Priest: "The Easter Vigil begins in darkness. The darkness of the tomb is split open as the Light of the world resurrects and pours life-giving light to the whole world.
O God, grant that our hearts may be purified by your beloved Son Jesus Christ.
We offer You our love and praise in honour of so glorious a gift to our world,
Amen."
Let the light of your candle illumine the darkness of your room or house.
Think of all the wonderful things God had accomplished within your life. If you are depressed, ill, or in difficulty, ask God to help you open your heart to the healing that Jesus Christ brings.
THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
If you are in a family, let each family member light a candle from the first candle. In this way, we too are inspired by Jesus Christ, and pass His light and love on from one person to another. This is how we witness to His Light and love in dark situations in our world.
EASTER VIGIL READING
Mark 16
The Resurrection
16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large.5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
Jesus Appears to Two Disciples
12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
The Great Commission
14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
BAPTISM
If you have been baptized, here quietly renew your promises to Jesus to continue practising holiness in your life, and to be faithful to Him.
If you have been baptized, and fallen away from your faith, why then, just renew your baptismal promises and start all over again.
If you have never been baptized, why not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
He truly is the Son of God, and is waiting for you. Invite joy into your life and accept Him. Seek baptism.
Here is a chapel for accepting Jesus Christ into your life:
Priest: "Let us thank God for the holy men and women who have gone before us, showing that it is possible to reach the holiness God desires for us. Let us remember our holy ones."
Congregation: "We remember you, our holy family in heaven."
If you are not near a church, pour some water into a bowl. Sprinkle a little salt in it if you have some. Ask the Lord to bless the water and make it holy. Now you have your own holy water!
It is helpful to keep a small bottle of holy water in your home, procured from church, a holy place of pilgrimage, or holy well.
The priest blesses the water, and sprinkles the congregation with it.
We remember that Jesus is the Water of Life and brings us to holiness through baptism.
WE NOW REJECT OUR ANCIENT ENEMY SATAN
Priest: "Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God's children?'
Congregation: "I do."
Priest: "Do you reject the glamour of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin?"
Congregation: "I do."
Priest: "Do you reject satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?"
Congregation: "I do."
WORDS OF COMFORT "She sat stitching at night, straining her eyes in the flickering of the candle. It did not matter. What mattered was that her Son would have clothing which would keep Him covered, warm in winter, cool in summer.
So she wove a garment all in one piece. And now soldiers quarrelled over the garment as her Son hung dying on the cross. The clothes which Mary had made with such love and devotion had become the blood spattered remnants of a condemned criminal.
With every stitch Mother Mary had placed in the cloth, with every step of the weaving, she was not merely making a tunic.
Every stitch was her saying, 'I love you.'
Well. Therein lies a parable for us all on this wondrous Easter night. Mary showed her love for her Son, our beloved Savior, by stitching, cooking, caring, loving. It is the little things which really matter, after all.
Not all of us are called to actions which stand before the world as acts of public greatness. All of us are called however to do little things in a spirit of love and nobility.
When Jesus was dying upon the cross, He made His last will and testament. He left what was most precious to Him to His follower John. Jesus entrusted the care of His Mother Mary to John, so she would not be left poverty stricken and alone.
She would have, in effect, another son to care for her.
As Jesus died, He showed what was most important to Him.
Not a palace. Not property. Not heirlooms, nor silver, or gold.
But relationship built on love. Jesus prizes love above all.
How many of us can say the same? When God calls us home to heaven, what quick arrangements would we wish to make? Would they regard a house, payment of mortgage, who to leave a ring to, or who will inherit our personal possessions?
Or would we, like Christ, treasure love and our relationships above all?
This Easter night, let us look to our lives and examine our values as closely as Mary looked at her stitches. Do we have love in our hearts? Do we treasure others? Do we let others know that we truly care?
This way of love and compassion has its price. Sometimes others do not value us despite our love. Well, then, we simply walk in the same path of suffering and misunderstanding Jesus did. Be brave, dear soul. Be brave enough to love as Jesus did. Value relationships above all, enough to 'love your neighbour as yourself', and to love and honor others by being faithful to the Ten Commandments.
This splendid Easter night, turn to the Christ of the Resurrection to ask for the grace to follow the Lord of Relationships with grace and dignity. May the blessings of Easter be yours! Amen."
THE EUCHARIST Priest; "As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it. He gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take all you, and eat. This is My Body, which is broken for you." Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life." Priest; "At the end of supper, Jesus took the cup. He gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take, all of you, and drink; this is My Blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me." ' Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the cup of life, the wine blessed for our salvation." [Receive communion. If you are unable to attend Holy Mass, receive Jesus spiritually within your heart and soul now. Spend some time in prayer]. LORD'S PRAYER Priest; "Let us now pray the Lord's prayer in the words Jesus gave us." Priest and Congregation; 'Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done One earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day Our daily bread, And forgive us our sins, As we forgive those who sin against us, And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen." PRAYER AND BLESSING Priest; "Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for sending us Your only Son, Jesus Christ. We rejoice in His Resurrection. This night the tomb is robbed of death, and is empty! There is Light in the midst of our darkness! We have been fed by the Word and given new life in the waters of baptism. We have been given renewed life in the Eucharist, and receive life from Jesus our Lord. We ask for Your blessing as we go forth to witness to the world the truth that JESUS CHRIST IS THE RISEN SON OF GOD!" Congregation; "Amen. ALLELUIA!"
MANY YEARS AGO I HAD THE HONOR OF BEING ORGANIST AT A DEVOTIONAL CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE IN TYBURN CONVENT IN LONDON.
Now today Good Shepherd Church received this appeal regarding the Sisters at Tyburn.
I assume this may be the very same Tyburn convent built upon the execution area of Tyburn tree where many martyrs lost their lives.
Memories from yesterday
After the conclusion of the church service, we were privileged to view first class relics which were mute testimony to the sufferings of the martyrs.
We knelt in prayer at the prie-dieus before the Blessed Sacrament, and spent peaceful time in reflection within the chapel's quiet atmosphere.
Many saints gave their lives as testimony to their faith in Christ: among them Saint Robert Southwell,1 Saint Oliver Plunkett, 2 Saint Edmund Campion 3 and Saint Margaret Ward 4.
Information regarding the 105 martyrs of Tyburn continually honored by the Sisters of Tyburn may be found in the link below. 5
Tyburn Sisters need help
Today the Sisters are struggling, and 'Hope in the Storm' has written an article, 'Please Help the Sisters at Tyburn'.
Mother Marie Joseph O.S.B. has written to explain there is great need for a heating system within the Convent, as the old one is not functioning well anymore.
This is affecting living quarters, including where elderly and infirm are cared for: as well as laundry provision.
The Sisters are asking for donations towards this worthy cause, and the full email from Sister Marie Joseph is available in Hope in the Storm.
Would you be able to help?
Please click in the link below in order to access Hope in the Storm, Sr M Joseph's email and the link where donations can be made out to:
It was an amazing night. The Master shared supper with the disciples, instituting the divine sacrament which transfuses divine life into those who eat and drink of the mystery.
Before the meal, He had humbly washed the feet of His disciples, showing that the heart of His message is loving service to our brothers and sisters.
Jesus wanted to run away from the dreadful fate which awaited Him.
Satan was not going to take Christ's challenge for rulership of all humanity lightly.
Every indignity which could be visited upon the breakable human body was to be visited upon the Anointed Messiah.
And then Jesus was going to die - horribly, stripped naked, His modesty exposed to jeers and taunts.
The deceased Son of God would be placed into a tomb, into the death from which no-one - save Lazarus, the son of the widowed mother at Nain and the little daughter of Jairus had returned.
Tonight we walk together with Jesus, remembering the little things that so endear Him to us.
His care for our people - His saving us from the terrible consequences of the Fall - His love for Mary His mother.
We remember how Jesus owned His emotions, telling the Father He did not want to drink from this final cup of suffering. Who would?
And yet - when the Father told Him it was necessary for our salvation - He did.
What a great King we have.
Good Shepherd Church is holding all night prayer vigil in honor of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the great sacrifices He made to save us and set us free.
We remember, too, all who have suffered and died in the persecuted Church.
We pray for those most in need of God's mercy.
We pray, too, the Way of the Cross for Victims of Abortion. [1]
GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IS AT ALL NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL, REMEMBERING HOW JESUS CHRIST GAVE HIS LIFE IN REPARATION FOR OUR SINS.
THE SON OF GOD WON FOR US THE WAY TO HEAVEN. LET US PRAY TONIGHT IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE SAVIOR'S SUFFERING IN GETHSEMANE, HIS CONDEMNATION AND DEATH IN ORDER TO SAVE US FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE FALL AND FROM OUR SIN.
HOW GREAT IS OUR SAVIOR.
HOW WONDERFUL THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
HOW HOLY THE KING OF KINGS.
HOW PEACEFUL THE BLESSED LAMB OF GOD.
WHY NOT PRAY IN UNION WITH OUR LORD AS HE SUFFERED AND TREMBLED IN DEEPEST FEAR IN GETHSEMANE.
JESUS KNEW WHAT AWAITED HIM: WITH GREATEST COURAGE HE ACCEPTED THE CUP OF SUFFERING.
