eternal salvation, he gave his disciples some advice, and said, Watch and pray, lest
SERMON 223B
DISCOURSE ON THE HOLY NIGHT
Date: uncertain1
This vigil as a reminder of Christ's death and resurrection
1. As our Lord Jesus Christ was about to suffer in the fullness of time for our eternal salvation, he gave his disciples some advice, and said, Watch and pray, lest you should enter into temptation (Mk 14:38). Although this is something Chris¬ tians should take care to do regularly, and not let sleep swallow up every single night, having before them the example of the apostle, who said in vigils very often
(2 Cor 11:27); still, as on this night the whole world is keeping awake for Christ, it has been established as a holier and more sacred vigil. The intention is that human devotion should celebrate with an annual solemnity what divine compassion achieved once and for all, and not let the memory of it be buried in oblivion. Christ, you see, died once, the just for the unjust (1 Pt 3:18). But rising from the dead, he does not die again, death no longer lords it over him. For in that he died to sin, he died once; while in that he lives, he lives for God. Thus we too should reckon ourselves to be dead to sin, but alive for God in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:9.11).
In order that such a great mystery as this should be retained in the memory, the day of the year on which it happened could obviously not be allowed to slip by like any other night, but is brought to the. attention of religious people with the most solemn possible celebration. Now the purpose of the Jews in killing Christ was to obliterate his memory from the earth. This, quite apart from eternal punishment, is how they are paid back in the meantime, that while his memory is gloriously celebrated, the world does not forget their crime. Everyone, after all, who anywhere in the world marvels at this night's splendid light, simulta¬ neously denounces the darkness of the Jews. But while we must detest their misdeed, let us faithfully hold on to the tremendous good that the Lord wrought for us out of their evil, and celebrate it with proper solemnity.2
We keep watch at the same time as Christ slept in the tomb
2. Because we are celebrating a vigil, my dearest brothers and sisters, on this night when we recall that the Lord was buried, let us keep awake during the time