A description of an Easter Cermony in Russia under communism when it was dangerous to be a believer, just like Ireland during Penal Times:
'Someone at the back of the church lit a candle,
a single point of light not able to pierce the darkness.
Then there was another, and another.
Swiftly the flame was passed from one to another.
In less than a minute the church was a blaze of light.
Each candle lit up the face behind it,
a face marked with suffering.
But now that suffering turned into joy,
because of the certain knowledge that the Lord has risen.
These people do not debate the resurrection.
They have experienced it in their lives.
They have not preserved the faith in hostile surroundings,
it has preserved them.'
Lord, may your Easter light shine on us this day,
and chase the shadows of the night of death away.
Taken from Flor McCarthy's Book, New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies, Year B.
