In all my Easter Vigils, I have never been more touched to say the word "Alleluia."
During the Lent season, 40 days before Easter, we haven't said the word Alleluia in church as a way of preparing for Christ's resurrection. Usually, being the sleeper that I am in church, I don't always notice the missing word from our missal wordbank. Nor do Easter Services remain anymore memorable.
Something about this service though was strangely inspiring. As usual, the first half of mass was done with only candle light, all created from the single Paschal candle lit by the priests. Nothing special (for me anyways) up until the bells started to ring, when the reading was read that Christ had been resurrected and the angels had told the women visiting his tomb. As the bells rung, the lights in the room turned on, and the choir, simple as it is, sang out "Alleluia! Glory to God!"
It was in that moment I realized that the word that I had not spoken in 40 days came back with new meaning, with more weight and measure than I had ever heard it spoken before. Alleluia, usually, was just a response sung in Mass. Something to be said in worship. But this one instance was a declaration, a glorification, an adoration of the miracle of His resurrection, of His triumph and victory over our sin and death. In that moment, as the Cross carried our Saviour, the word "Alleluia," carried my joy, my worship.
Alleluia, All hail to Him Who is.
Glory rightly deserved.
