Happy Easter!

I think my very favorite celebration in the Church has to be the Ester Vigil Mass. Last night we had a very very beautiful one at our parish. My very favorite part of this mass is always when the lights come on after being in the dark for so long. It is always gorgeous when that happens, and our choir did such a wonderful job last night too. I believe there were about 25 people who officially joined our church last night, one of whom happens to be a family friend of ours, so it was even more exciting then usual for my mom and I to watch. After wards there was such a nice reception downstairs. I was not expecting all the food for some reason.
So for Easter, I want to share my very favorite reading passage from last night's mass because it is just so beautiful. As I sat there listening to this while the church was dark it, I could not help but be touched by it. I hope you like it as much as I did!

Reading IV
Is 54:5-14

The One who has become your husband is your Maker;
his name is the LORD of hosts;
your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel,
called God of all the earth.
The LORD calls you back,
like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
a wife married in youth and then cast off,
says your God.
For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with great tenderness I will take you back.
In an outburst of wrath, for a moment
I hid my face from you;
but with enduring love I take pity on you,
says the LORD, your redeemer.
This is for me like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah
should never again deluge the earth;
so I have sworn not to be angry with you,
or to rebuke you.
Though the mountains leave their place
and the hills be shaken,
my love shall never leave you
nor my covenant of peace be shaken,
says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled,
I lay your pavements in carnelians,
and your foundations in sapphires;
I will make your battlements of rubies,
your gates of carbuncles,
and all your walls of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
In justice shall you be established,
far from the fear of oppression,
where destruction cannot come near you.