The Collect for the Easter Vigil is:
“O God, who make this most sacred night radiant with the glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, stir up in your Church a spirit of adoption, so that, renewed in body and mind, we may render you undivided service. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”
Reflection
By the time this prayer is prayed, the congregation will have heard the glorious Exsultet sung in honor of Christ the Light who dispels the darkness of sin. So, the reference to making “this most sacred night radiant” is a reference to the Easter candle as well as the resurrection. The prayer goes on to ask for a spirit of adoption, which is great since the Church is about to baptize, confirm and give first communion to all her Catechumens1. As part of that whole Baptismal Liturgy, the whole congregation also renews their own Baptismal Promises. So, when we pray to be renewed in body and mind we are talking specifically about renewing the commitment each of us has made at Baptism. That commitment is to become a saint, which is great since being a saint means being holy and being holy is the best way to be happy. Finally, “render[ing] undivided service” is another way of expressing our desire to be holy (and happy.)
So, for your daily contribution to the Church’s collection of prayer,
take a moment to remember your baptismal promises if you can. Try to recall your most significant moment of conversion when you began to make the faith your own and take it seriously. Pray for the grace to live that life of undivided service and to never forget the Light of Christ that shines even when everything in your life seems dark. Then spiritually unite that prayer to all the Easter Vigils throughout the world. That way, when the priest says “Let us pray,” you can be a part of that “us” even if you don’t get to attend the Mass this evening.