He is Risen! He is Truly Risen!
The Vigil Mass last night raised my heart to a fever pitch of joy. When the lights blazed forth on the Gloria, and the bells rang and rang and rang and rang, and the shrouds fell from the statues, I felt a foretaste of the joy of Heaven. How loving the Church is to give us this glimpse into true joy in Christ! In particular, the contrast to the sorrow of Good Friday -- to go from kissing Christ's blood-stained feet to the blazing light of Easter -- helps me to more fully realize the import of what Jesus did for us, so unmerited by us but freely given by Him.
After the end of the Gloria, once the bells had stopped and all the statues were uncovered, our three-year old son Alex, who had watched in rapt attention, sighed and said audibly in the silence, "It's gorgeous in here!"
Thank you, Jesus, for Your incredible gift to us. Alleluia, He is Risen!