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ROLL OUT THE LAST ‘JOKE ON THE DEVIL’: QUIAPO CHURCH CELEBRATES O’ HOLY NIGHT OF THE EASTER VIGIL OF THE LORD’S RESURRECTION

Nov. 30, 2024 04:53 PM

In culmination of the celebration of Paschal Triduum, Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr., Basilica-Shrine rector presided this holy night of Easter Vigil celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection at 8:00 P.M. of March 30, 2024, at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno.

In his homily, Fr. Sescon Jr., pulled off his “Risus Paschalis”, or “Easter Laugh” among the congregation about a fictional boy named ‘Denver’ in his ‘silly’ thoughts of how an empty stomach (from his father) and mind (from his teacher). Reviving this Easter laugh tradition, Fr. Sescon Jr. explained this custom is about telling jokes or amusing stories to elicit laughter from the people in jubilation to the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ from death after three days. In elaborating, he said it is believed that during the very first Easter Sunday, the heavens ‘laughed’ exuberantly. Hence, the notion of this Risus Paschalis is about God’s successfully played ‘trick’ on Satan thinking it finally had won after His only begotten Son was killed on that first Good Friday only to be raised on the third day.

“Akin ang huling halakhak” (I have the last laugh), Fr. Sescon Jr. denoted this expression as if the [risen] Jesus was the one saying this line. As he continued, he reflected, however, that there seems to be a difficulty in becoming merry. Despite singing along to the songs of ‘Papuri’ and ‘Alleluia’ as observed during the mass. Fr. Sescon Jr. likened this to the sound of disbelief among Jesus’ disciples, when the news of empty tomb was delivered to them by Mary Magdalene.

“It’s too good to be true”, Fr. Sescon Jr. arrived at this quote as a likely justification for the first followers of Jesus to not immediately believe on the news of the resurrection. However, he begged the question to everyone if are they not the same.

While that might be the case, he reminded everyone to not judge those with inconsistent beliefs about Jesus like the disciples, crowd who cheered during his triumphant entry to Jerusalem and condemned him to his death, or even Judas, the traitor.

In the end, Fr. Sescon Jr. reminded the faithful to be constant in the message of “Mamumuhay sa isang bagong pamumuhay” (Live a new life).

 

The longest, yet holiest of all vigils

This Easter Vigil celebration in the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno started with the blessing of the Paschal candle, signifying the light of the newly-risen Christ.

In a rare occasion, instead of the assigned clergy or deacon, Mr. Marlon Quintana, church staff from the Family and Life Ministry and Basic Ecclesial Communities (FLM-BEC) led the singing of the ‘Exultet’, Easter Proclamation, with the congregation dancing in swaying movement with lighted candles in manifesting the joy of the risen Lord. Four (4) candidates received the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and communion.

After the mass, the Salubong (Encuentro) rites commenced. Rev. Fr. Jesus Madrid Jr., Quiapo church parochial vicar presided over this religious activity. This highlights the first meeting of the resurrected Jesus Christ and His Mother, from sorrow to joy as manifested in the removal of the black veil by one of the ‘angels’.

– Kidanzac A. Tallada | ADRM & EIAM