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And so the mystery begins to unravel. The women at the empty tomb are confused. Who has taken the body of their Lord? Why would anyone do this? Where have they taken him? They are further confused by the angels' words:

Then the angels remind the women of what they already know:

Remembering is an innately human activity. How often have we been told a story, heard a grandparent reminisce, or cried over a loved one who has died. Don't we all remember those major milestones in life: falling in love for the first time; high school victory on the football field; 21st birthday celebrations; marriage; birth of our first child; day I received my first communion or was confirmed or was ordained. Then there are the painful memories of trauma, tragedy and sadness in our lives. All memories are important, evoke certain feelings and constitute who we are.

In our Easter Vigil tonight we are invited to remember the story of our salvation and the good news that Jesus who was crucified is now risen. Everything we do tonight - lighting candles, listening to the stories from scripture, welcoming new members through the rites of initiation, sharing communion - says that we are like the women standing in the tomb: we remember, we believe, we celebrate our Christian heritage and identity.

In a few moments, Paul, Virgil, Keith, Kristi, Ella Lorraine, Susan, Kara, Tom, Alan, Dave, Phyllis, Melody, Carol and Sheila will be fully received into our worshipping community through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. They will become fellow travelers with us on our common journey of faith. This is truly a memorable night for them and their families and we rejoice with them. But what is it that they should most remember when they leave our church tonight as newly initiated Catholic Christians? I suggest the following three things:

Firstly, I hope that they will remember that they have been called in a personal and singular way by God. There is a beautiful verse in the book of the prophet Isaiah that reads: "And God, who created you, who formed you, said: 'Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine…..you are precious in my sight and I love you." (Isaiah 43:1, 4)

In other words, you did not just stumble into this Catholic Christian community. God's Spirit has always been active in your thoughts and spiritual quest. Tonight marks a certain milestone for you as you complete your initiation into our community. And this brings me to the second thing I would like you to remember. Please remember that you belong with us. The Catholic Christian community of Christ the King, or whatever other Catholic community you may become a member of, is your spiritual home. You belong here, and this is the place where you can thrive and flourish as a new disciple of Christ. You belong with us and we warmly welcome you. Please remember that.

And lastly, I would like you to remember that, like the women in our gospel tonight, you too are sent to announce the good news of our faith to others. You do this, not so much by overt preaching, but simply by living lives of courageous Christian witness and moral integrity. By receiving the sacraments of initiation you are sent and commissioned to be a sacrament - indeed a living memorial - of the person of Jesus in our world. Our world, and the one human family that inhabits it, is hurting and divided. Human greed, fear, arrogance and blindness, are depleting the earth's natural resources. Disease, poverty and violence are killing thousands everyday. As new disciples of Christ I encourage you to always uphold the dignity of human life; to always honor and reverence everything in creation and to above all demonstrate to the world what it means to live in loving communion. As we remember, as we believe and as we celebrate who we are in God's beautiful dream of humanity.