Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil Homily & Reflection

Theme: “From Darkness to Light: The Dawn of New Hope.” Jubilee Year Focus: “Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Romans 5:5) Readings: Genesis 1–2 | Genesis 22 | Exodus 14 | Isaiah 54 & 55 | Baruch 3 | Ezekiel 36 | Romans 6:3–11 | Psalm 118 | Luke 24:1–12

Tonight we stand at the most sacred threshold of the Church’s year—between death and life, silence and song, tomb and triumph. We’ve journeyed through the cross, through darkness, and now, as the fire is lit and the Exsultet sung, we celebrate the night when hope rose from the grave.

A young girl once asked after Easter Vigil, “Is Jesus really alive again?” When told yes, she said: “Sho! Then why do people still walk around like it’s Lent?” Let’s not forget—we are an Easter people. This is the night where mourning turns into dancing. No one leaves the Vigil the same.

In Luke 24, the women come early in the morning with spices, expecting to anoint a dead body. Instead, they find an empty tomb—and two angels asking:

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He is risen!”

It’s a question for all of us. How often do we seek life in lifeless places—status, resentment, shallow comfort?The resurrection calls us to turn around. Like Peter running to the tomb, we are called to run toward hope.

The women become the first evangelists—proof that God trusts the faithful, even when others doubt. In a world full of empty tombs—where people say “nothing can change”—Luke reminds us: the story is not over. Jesus is alive.

In this night of nights, we renew baptismal promises, bless water, proclaim Alleluia—and above all, we share in the Eucharist. This is no ordinary bread. It is the bread of new creation. Tonight, as Christ rose, hope rises again in every heart that believes.

Question for Reflection:

• What tomb in my life needs to be opened by grace?
• Where have I stopped believing that resurrection is possible?

Daily Practical Application:

• Be someone’s resurrection today—bring joy where there’s sadness.
• Speak life into someone who feels discouraged.
• Let Easter not end in Church—carry it into your home and your street.

To anyone whose Holy Saturday feels more like a lifelong burden, know this: The stone will be rolled away. God is not finished. In the silence of the tomb, He is working. Resurrection may delay—but it will come. Hope does not disappoint.

What Can I Do During the Jubilee Year?

+Recommit your life to Christ tonight.

+ Offer hospitality to someone new in your parish.

+ Support a baptismal candidate or newly confirmed in your community.

+ Plant something symbolic—new growth as a witness of new life.

In South Africa, we’ve seen tombs—of injustice, inequality, violence. But we’ve also seen resurrections—of communities rising, voices rising, young people rising. Let this Easter be a declaration: South Africa lives because Christ lives!

The tomb was not the end of the story. It was the womb of something greater—resurrection.

We are not tourists in faith—we are Pilgrims of Hope. We walk through Holy Week to discover that light still shines, love still saves, and Jesus still walks ahead of us into Galilee—into the ordinary moments where the Risen Lord waits.

Risen Lord, Tonight, You shattered the darkness. You silenced death with life. Roll away the stones in my heart, ignite the flame of faith, and send me out with Easter joy. In this Jubilee Year, make me a witness to the light that never dies. Amen.