Easter People, Pilgrims of Hope (Easter Vigil C)

On the eve of Christmas in 2022, a 34-year-old mother and her 3-year-old child were swept away by a mighty flood in Misamis Occidental. Their house was carried by the raging waters into the vast sea. For three long days, they drifted helplessly, clinging to broken pieces of wood as their fragile raft repeatedly gave way.

I watched her interview on TV, and I was deeply moved by the courage she showed—a fierce determination not only to survive but to protect her young child. Despite the overwhelming darkness and uncertainty surrounding them, she never lost hope. With faith in God’s providence, she scavenged for anything they could eat—fruits, fish—and when her child was thirsty, she reached out and found a coconut to quench that thirst.

Her story is a powerful testament to hope’s strength—the hope that carries us through the darkest, most desperate moments. Like this mother, we too can cling to the lifeline that Christ offers, journeying from the stormy seas of despair into the light of safety, new life, and joy.

That mother’s undying hope—holding on through the darkest night—mirrors the journey we celebrate this Easter Vigil. Tonight, we gather in darkness, yet we are not afraid, for the light of the Paschal Candle pierces the shadows. Christ, our hope, has risen! We celebrate the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair. In this Jubilee Year, the Church calls us to be "Pilgrims of Hope," journeying with faith toward the fullness of God’s promises.

Hope, Our Journey from Darkness to Light. The Gospel (Luke 24:1-12) shows us this journey beautifully. The women visit Jesus’ tomb at dawn, weighed down by grief and loss. But they find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. The angels ask, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" (Lk 24:5). 

This is the heart of Christian hope: a pilgrimage from the darkness of despair to the radiant light of the resurrection. The Easter Vigil liturgy reflects this movement—from the blessing of fire, the lighting of the Paschal Candle, to the joyful proclamation of Christ’s victory. Like the women, we are called to step out of darkness—whether it is fear, doubt, grief, or sin—and into the new light of Christ’s risen life.

Where in my life am I still walking through darkness—fear, doubt, sorrow?  How can I open my heart, like the women, to let the light of Christ transform that darkness into joy?

Hope, Our Journey from Slavery to Freedom. The Easter Vigil readings powerfully recall Israel’s liberation from slavery in Egypt—a journey from oppression to freedom (Exodus 14:15-15:1). The miraculous crossing of the Red Sea reveals God’s saving power, leading His people from bondage into the Promised Land. This event is the “mother of all our hopes” in salvation history, a vivid image of freedom conquered by God’s intervention.

In Christ, the resurrection is the ultimate breaking of chains—the defeat of sin and death itself. Just as the Israelites were freed from physical slavery, we are set free from the spiritual slavery of sin through Christ’s Paschal Mystery. The empty tomb proclaims that no power can hold us captive; the resurrection confirms that the chains of sin are broken.

In Our Lives, the “slavery of sin” can trap us in despair, guilt, and brokenness, but Christ’s resurrection offers a new path to freedom. What forms of slavery—fear, addiction, resentment—hold me captive today? How can I embrace the freedom Christ won for me through his resurrection? In what ways can I live as a freed person, sharing hope with those still in bondage?

Hope, a Journey from Death to Life. The Epistle from Romans (6:3-11) reveals the deeper meaning of Easter hope: Baptism. Paul tells us, "We were buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too might walk in newness of life" (Rom 6:4).  

Tonight, as we celebrate the baptism of new members into the Church, we remember that baptism is our own personal journey from death to life. It is not merely a ritual, but the powerful moment when sin dies and grace is born in us. The empty tomb is not just an event in history; it is the promise of new and eternal life for each of us.

How does my baptism shape the way I live and respond to life’s challenges?  How can I more faithfully live as a witness to the resurrection hope I have received?

The Easter Vigil calls us to be Pilgrims of Hope. Like the women at the tomb and Peter running to see, we are invited to journey toward the light, freedom, and new life of the resurrection. In this Jubilee Year, may we carry this hope into the world, sharing the light for those still walking in darkness.  

As we renew our baptismal promises tonight, let us pray: Lord, make us bearers of Your hope in every step of our pilgrimage. May we run joyfully to share the Good News: Christ is risen! Alleluia!