Vigil of Easter

Why did the earth quake at the resurrection? This seems like a small detail. But let us ponder this word of God. The earth also quaked at the crucifixion. And why should it not? The Creator of the world here dies, and then rises from the dead. And his resurrection was not a mere resuscitation. When Jesus raised Lazarus, and Jairus' daughter, and the son of the widow of Nain, those were the bringing back to life of the dead too, but they were brought back to life still as mortals. They would yet die. There is even a place, some believe, where Lazarus' grave is and may be found. But the resurrection of Jesus is different. Those miracles were but foretastes of this, which is a greater resurrection. For this is a change. And in his mortal body put on immortality, and his corruptible flesh put on incorruption. For he rose never again to die. And he is the first fruits of them that sleep. His bodily resurrection is just the beginning. We too, who are in him, shall likewise be raised from death. Behold, says John, I saw new heavens and a new earth. No wonder there was an earthquake. The earth is in the birth pangs of a woman, who in hard labor struggles and sorrows, but when the child is born she remembers it no more because a child is born into the world. No wonder there are earthquakes still, and hurricanes, and disasters, and pandemics sweeping around the globe. The earth is in birth pangs, and Christ is already risen from the dead, the first fruits. In him is resurrection, life, and salvation. Sermon for Easter Vigil.