Daily Catholic Lectio
Sat, 19 April ‘25
Easter Vigil
Gospel Reading: Luke 24:1-12
Why do you seek the living one among the dead?
There was once a monastery at the corner of a village. Behind its stone walls lay a beautiful garden, once carefully cultivated by the early monks—a place of prayer, growth, and joy. The garden was filled with olive trees, roses, and spring lilies, and the paths had once echoed with hymns at sunrise.
But over time, things changed.
Storms came. The old gardener died. Weeds grew. Fences rotted. Eventually, the garden was locked and forgotten. “Too much trouble to tend,” the monks said. “Better to preserve what remains of it.”
Years passed.
One Easter night, a young novice entered the chapel after the Vigil liturgy. He had heard the Gospel proclaimed:
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, He is risen!”
He sat in silence before the tabernacle, those words echoing in his heart. Suddenly, he felt drawn to the back of the monastery—to the old gate no one opened anymore.
He took a lantern. He found the rusty key. He entered the garden.
What he saw shocked him: thorns, dry leaves, broken branches. But under the moonlight, small lilies were blooming through the wild. Life was returning—quietly, without applause. As he knelt, he felt the Risen Lord whisper:
“Why are you seeking the living among the dead? I am not in locked places or forgotten fears. I am here—in the growing, in the rising, in the unexpected bloom.”
From that night on, the garden was opened again. Not just cleaned—but cherished. It became a place where villagers prayed, children laughed, and the monks once more sang hymns at sunrise.
The garden had not died. It had only waited… for someone to believe in resurrection.
The Resurrection is not only a past event—it is a divine power that breaks into forgotten places, locked memories, and hearts grown cold.
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?” He is not in the tomb. He is not in the guilt, the failure, the past. He is risen. He is going ahead of you.
The Easter Vigil is a sacred journey—from Creation to Re-creation, from bondage to freedom, from death to life. Each reading unveils a part of God’s saving plan, fulfilled in the Resurrection of Jesus. The question posed at the tomb becomes a lens through which we understand God’s work across all time.
1. God Who Creates and Recreates
Genesis 1:1–2:2 – “God saw that it was very good.”
Ezekiel 36:16–28 – “I will give you a new heart.”
In the beginning, God creates light out of chaos. He speaks, and life emerges. But humanity’s sin wounded creation. In Ezekiel, God promises to cleanse, renew, and give a new heart to His people. The Resurrection is this promise fulfilled: new creation through Christ.
Do I let the Risen Lord recreate me from within? Do I seek the living God in my inner chaos, trusting He can bring light and order again?
2. God Who Liberates and Leads
Exodus 14:15–15:1 – “The Lord will fight for you.”
Romans 6:3–11 – “We were buried with Him… so that we might walk in newness of life.”
The Exodus was liberation from slavery through water. Easter is the new Exodus—freedom from sin through the waters of Baptism. The Resurrection of Christ is not only His victory—it is ours. We are no longer slaves, but beloved sons and daughters, invited to walk in resurrection life.
Do I live in the freedom Christ has won for me? Or do I return to the “Egypts” of fear, addiction, or sin?
3. God Who Raises and Sends
Luke 24:1–12 – “He is not here. He is risen.”
The women came in sorrow, but were met with a question: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
It is a call to renewed faith, to let go of all that is lifeless—resentment, doubt, apathy—and to embrace the living Christ. Their memory of Jesus’ words turns into mission. They become the first proclaimers of the Resurrection.
Where in my life am I clinging to what no longer gives life? Am I ready to proclaim: “The Lord is truly risen!” with joy and boldness?
A Final Word: The Night of New Beginnings
Creation is renewed
Freedom is granted
Hearts are made new
Sin is conquered
Christ is risen
On this night of nights, may we hear again the angel’s question—not as rebuke, but as a gentle awakening:
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
He is not here. He is Risen. Alleluia!
Let our memory be transformed into mission.
Let our hearts be made new.
Let us live as Easter people, radiant with the light of Christ.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
Leave a comment