An Unforgettable Easter Vigil…

by Mark Mallett

 

THE Easter Vigil ended and the thin congregation filed out. I was left standing at the altar as Fr. approached the tabernacle, knelt, and then reached inside. A few moments later, he turned and handed me the pyx — a small golden vessel for bringing Communion to the sick. There, in the palm of my hand, was Jesus. 

I went out to the car and waited for my five sons to arrive. When they were all in the car, I placed the pyx on the dashboard and said, “Jesus is here. O Blessed Jesus, we love and adore You, and thank for having died and risen from the dead for us. Blessed are You, O Lord.” 

As we pulled onto the highway to bring the Eucharist to an ill family member, my eldest son and I suddenly had an idea come to us at the same time. But it was my son who spoke: “Dad, do you have any good Russian chorale music?” “Yes!”, I replied. I quickly found what I consider to be one of the most beautiful albums that I own, one of the most sublime collections of music on earth — or as my son put it, “The pinnacle of human art.” 

As the choir began to sing, suddenly the vehicle went silent — for the next forty-five minutes. It was as if the angels filled and surrounded our car. I couldn’t help but weep and begin to openly praise Jesus. There we were, driving into the night, with the Creator of the heavens and the earth beside us… Emmanuel… “God with us.” He who had risen from the dead was now physically present with us in the “disguise of bread”, just as He promised. 

I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst… For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. (John 6:35, 55)

Here is the album we listened to that holy night…

St. Petersburg Chamber Choir

 

Whether in the Eucharist or in His interior indwelling presence,
God is with us. 

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Posted in From Our Contributors, The Now Word.