Theme:

After the pain and suffering comes the resurrection! There are eight readings for the Easter vigil. These readings guide reminds us of salvation history, from the time God created the heavens and the earth to the time when Jesus rose from the dead.

Questions

Day 1: This is the story of creation. With this story, it shows us the original intent of God for creating humanity. God created man and woman to be in his image.

• What does it mean today that we are created in his image?

• Since God has dominion of all creation, he also gave man dominion over all his creation. What does this mean?

• The passage ends with saying that God rested on the seventh day. Since God is all powerful, he does not need any rest. What does God resting mean if it does not mean physical rest?

Day 2: The second reading speaks of Abraham sacrificing his son, Isaac. Isaac was later saved when an angel prevented Abraham from killing him. Consider this. Abraham was very old. God promised Abraham that through Isaac, he will have many descendants. Yet now, God is telling him to sacrifice Isaac.

• How did Abraham feel during this entire episode?

• What made Abraham obey God even if it meant killing his son by his own hands and seeing God's promises to him destroyed in the death of his son?

• What did Abraham say to the servants before he and Isaac left them? What does that show about Abraham's faith?

• Pay close attention to the last verse. God will bless Abraham because he obeyed God's voice. Is God calling you to obedience? Are you in a situation which seems impossible, yet clear that God wants you to do something? What do you want to say to Jesus?

Day 3: The third reading narrates the crossing of the Red Sea. In it, we see how God works mightily to save his people.The crossing of the Red Sea is symbolic of a passage from slavery to freedom.

• A person in sin is a slave of sin. Since everyone sins, everyone is a slave of sin. Do you believe that you are a sinner?

• The only way to freedom from sin is through the blood of Jesus. By accepting Jesus and repenting, he is leading you from slavery to freedom. Have you repented of your sins? What should you do to repent from your sins?

• Jesus said, the truth shall set you free. Is there a lie that prevents you from being set free? What do you want to say to Jesus?

Day 4: We will take the fourth and fifth readings together for this day. These two readings speak of renewal. These speak of God's love for his people and how he will bless them after they have been saved.

• The fourth reading speaks of God's message to his people. It is a message of restoration. How did God compare his relationship with his people?

• How was God's love described in verse 10 of the fourth reading? How is that relevant to you?

• The fifth reading speaks of abundance when the Lord restores his people. Do you believe that God has planned for you an abundant life? This life is not necessarily a life of material abundance. What does an abundant life in God mean?

• What is this condition to the abundant life that God has planned for you?

• What do you wish to tell Jesus?

Day 5: In the sixth reading, the God said through the prophet Ezekiel that he will redeem them for the sake of his name. This shows that redemption is an initiative from the Lord.

• If redemption is an initiative from God, what is our role in it?

• What did God mean when said that he will give a new heart and put a new spirit?

• What will happen when God puts his spirit in us?

Day 6: The reading from the letter to the Romans speaks of the dying with Jesus and rising with Jesus

• What does it mean to die with Jesus?

• What does it mean to walk in the newness of life?

• What did St. Paul mean when he told us to “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus?”

• Do you want a new life in Jesus? What do you want to tell him?

Day 7: The gospel reading narrates the first hour of Easter.

• The gospel reading says that there were guards in front of the tomb. With guards at the tomb, was there a chance of the body being stolen and hidden?

• Matthew describes the women as having fear and great joy. What did he mean by that?

• Jesus appeared to the women as they were hurrying back. What was his first words to them?

• Jesus was buried in the tomb and the women went to see his body. But they saw an empty tomb and saw him on the way back. This episode is one of unexpected surprises. God is not found in places where we expect him and he is seen in places where we do not expect him. Are you searching for Jesus? Have you found him? Are you in a situation where you would like to see him work but he seems absent? What do you want to tell him?