Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord
At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
Readings for Easter Vigil[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Genesis 1:1—2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a
Scripture begins with the first creation account from Genesis. God creates the universe, the earth, and all living things. His final creation is the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Psalm 104 is a song of thanksgiving supporting the creation event just related. A constant theme through the psalms is thanks for the gift of creation.
Or Psalm 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20 and 22
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
The alternate psalm is also a song of thanks giving for God’s creative majesty. In this song the Logos is also mentioned tying the creative event to Jesus – the Word of God – the Logos.
Reading II Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
In the second reading we find Abraham put to the test. He is to offer his son Isaac as a holocaust – an offering completely burnt on the altar. Abraham, though reluctant, is faithful to God and follows his instructions. At the last moment, when God is sure that Abraham has greater love for God than even his beloved son Isaac, he stops Abraham and “blesses him abundantly”, making him the father of nations.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Following Abraham’s demonstration of love, Psalm 16 is another song of thanksgiving, this time for presence of the Lord and His saving power.
Reading III Exodus 14:15—15:1
This selection of Exodus is the crossing of the Red (Reed) Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army following them. While this was the beginning of the Exodus story, it is the most spectacular intervention by God of the journey and, coupled with the striking of the firstborn of Egypt, the most forceful act, freeing the Hebrews from further retribution and harassment.
Responsorial Psalm Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
This hymn is another account of the saving event that ended the threat of the Egyptians. This canticle was frequently used in early Christian liturgy to celebrate God’s saving power.
Reading IV Isaiah 54:5-14
Isaiah paints Jerusalem as the wife in relationship with God. This passage is understood by the Christian faithful to refer to the New Jerusalem – Zion the Church. In this oracle the Prophet speaks of the everlasting covenant that would be the Messiah.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Still another psalm of thanksgiving recalls the saving power of God. The image of the resurrection is clearly evident I the first strophe, “O Lord, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.”
Reading V Isaiah 55:1-11
In the second reading from Isaiah we hear how God’s salvation is given to all peoples. We recall as the Prophet reminds us that salvation flows from his promise to extend David’s line, that the Messiah comes from that linage in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
This song of praise and thanksgiving takes the tone of a profession of faith; “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.”
Reading VI Baruch 3:9-15, 32
Baruch, the secretary of Jeremiah, composes this poem in praise of the Law of Moses. The poem rejoices in the saving power of God for those who are faithful using Wisdom like references to speak of divine intervention.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
Supporting Baruch’s praise of the Law, Psalm 19 echoes praise for the Law that Jesus came to fulfill.
Reading VII Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Contained within this selection from Ezekiel is one of the earliest and most complete descriptions of the theology of Baptism (Ez 36; 24-28). We see the Lord’s great love for the people manifest in first purifying them (“I will sprinkle clean water upon you…”) and then giving them a conversion of heart (“I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you…”).
When baptism is celebrated
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4
R. Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.
The water theme in this song of thanksgiving reminds us of the life-giving bath that is Baptism. Those receiving the sacrament will be moved by the obvious invitation to join with God fully in this holy place.
When baptism is not celebrated.
Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
If Baptism is not celebrated at the vigil we may hear this hymn from the Prophet Isaiah that reminds us, through his profession that we have all be baptized in Jesus life and death.
Or Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
This personal lament is the alternate to Isaiah’s hymn. We are also reminded of Baptism and the purifying effect of that bath.
Epistle Romans 6:3-11
This reading from Romans reminds us that we have been joined to Christ in Baptism and in doing so we are also joined to his death. Without inevitable death of the body there is no resurrection and we are reminded by Paul that, since Christ came so we could be absolved from sin, the great promise is that we will rise with him, free from all sin.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The final psalm is another song of thanksgiving. It sets the stage for the great event that demonstrates God’s love and power as the Lord, His Son, the “stone the builders rejected” conquers death and joins Him in new life.
Gospel Matthew 28:1-10
St. Matthew’s account of the empty tomb has much in common with Mark and Luke. Unique in this account is the dramatic action which rolls the stone away from the tomb and the proactive angelic presence announcing the resurrection. In none of the Gospel accounts do we actually see Christ rising from the dead. The empty tomb and the reminder that Jesus told his disciples that he would rise after three days is the evidence of the great salvific event.
The two women’s encounter with Christ as the ran to tell the disciples is unique in the synoptic Gospels but is similar to the account from St. John. They embraced him- a physical form, raised from the dead.
Reflection:
As has been the custom on this Vigil day, we offer you for your reflection the great proclamation of Easter which announces the Risen Lord throughout the Church this evening. I ask you to pray it we me today:
Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!
Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!
Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!
My dearest friends,
standing with me in this holy light,
join me in asking God for mercy,
that he may give his unworthy minister
grace to sing his Easter praises.
(followed by the usual exchange asking that we lift up our hearts)
It is truly right
that with full hearts and minds and voices
we should praise the unseen God, the all-powerful Father,
and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
For Christ has ransomed us with his blood,
and paid for us the price of Adam's sin to our eternal Father!
This is our passover feast,
when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.
This is the night
when first you saved our fathers:
you freed the people of Israel from their slavery
and led them dry-shod through the sea.
This is the night
when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of sin!
This is night
when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.
This is the night
when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.
What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?
Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave you gave away your Son.
O happy fault,
O necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer!
Most blessed of all nights,
chosen by God to see Christ rising from the dead!
Of this night scripture says:
"The night will be as clear as day:
it will become my light, my joy."
The power of this holy night dispels all evil,
washes guilt away, restores lost innocence,
brings mourners joy;
it casts out hatred, brings us peace,
and humbles earthly pride.
Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth
and man is reconciled with God!
Therefore, heavenly Father,
in the joy of this night,
receive our evening sacrifice of praise,
your Church's solemn offering.
Accept this Easter candle,
a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.
(For it is fed by the melting wax,
which the mother bee brought forth
to make this precious candle.)
Let it mingle with the lights of heaven
and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!
May the Morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning:
Christ, that Morning Star,
who came back from the dead,
and shed his peaceful light on all mankind,
your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
Please Pray for Esther.
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “The three Marys at the Tomb” by Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308
The Resurrection of the Lord
At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
Readings for Easter Vigil[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Genesis 1:1—2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a
Scripture begins with the first creation account from Genesis. God creates the universe, the earth, and all living things. His final creation is the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Psalm 104 is a song of thanksgiving supporting the creation event just related. A constant theme through the psalms is thanks for the gift of creation.
Or Psalm 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20 and 22
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
The alternate psalm is also a song of thanks giving for God’s creative majesty. In this song the Logos is also mentioned tying the creative event to Jesus – the Word of God – the Logos.
Reading II Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
In the second reading we find Abraham put to the test. He is to offer his son Isaac as a holocaust – an offering completely burnt on the altar. Abraham, though reluctant, is faithful to God and follows his instructions. At the last moment, when God is sure that Abraham has greater love for God than even his beloved son Isaac, he stops Abraham and “blesses him abundantly”, making him the father of nations.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Following Abraham’s demonstration of love, Psalm 16 is another song of thanksgiving, this time for presence of the Lord and His saving power.
Reading III Exodus 14:15—15:1
This selection of Exodus is the crossing of the Red (Reed) Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army following them. While this was the beginning of the Exodus story, it is the most spectacular intervention by God of the journey and, coupled with the striking of the firstborn of Egypt, the most forceful act, freeing the Hebrews from further retribution and harassment.
Responsorial Psalm Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
This hymn is another account of the saving event that ended the threat of the Egyptians. This canticle was frequently used in early Christian liturgy to celebrate God’s saving power.
Reading IV Isaiah 54:5-14
Isaiah paints Jerusalem as the wife in relationship with God. This passage is understood by the Christian faithful to refer to the New Jerusalem – Zion the Church. In this oracle the Prophet speaks of the everlasting covenant that would be the Messiah.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Still another psalm of thanksgiving recalls the saving power of God. The image of the resurrection is clearly evident I the first strophe, “O Lord, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.”
Reading V Isaiah 55:1-11
In the second reading from Isaiah we hear how God’s salvation is given to all peoples. We recall as the Prophet reminds us that salvation flows from his promise to extend David’s line, that the Messiah comes from that linage in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
This song of praise and thanksgiving takes the tone of a profession of faith; “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.”
Reading VI Baruch 3:9-15, 32
Baruch, the secretary of Jeremiah, composes this poem in praise of the Law of Moses. The poem rejoices in the saving power of God for those who are faithful using Wisdom like references to speak of divine intervention.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
Supporting Baruch’s praise of the Law, Psalm 19 echoes praise for the Law that Jesus came to fulfill.
Reading VII Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Contained within this selection from Ezekiel is one of the earliest and most complete descriptions of the theology of Baptism (Ez 36; 24-28). We see the Lord’s great love for the people manifest in first purifying them (“I will sprinkle clean water upon you…”) and then giving them a conversion of heart (“I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you…”).
When baptism is celebrated
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4
R. Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.
The water theme in this song of thanksgiving reminds us of the life-giving bath that is Baptism. Those receiving the sacrament will be moved by the obvious invitation to join with God fully in this holy place.
When baptism is not celebrated.
Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
If Baptism is not celebrated at the vigil we may hear this hymn from the Prophet Isaiah that reminds us, through his profession that we have all be baptized in Jesus life and death.
Or Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
This personal lament is the alternate to Isaiah’s hymn. We are also reminded of Baptism and the purifying effect of that bath.
Epistle Romans 6:3-11
This reading from Romans reminds us that we have been joined to Christ in Baptism and in doing so we are also joined to his death. Without inevitable death of the body there is no resurrection and we are reminded by Paul that, since Christ came so we could be absolved from sin, the great promise is that we will rise with him, free from all sin.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The final psalm is another song of thanksgiving. It sets the stage for the great event that demonstrates God’s love and power as the Lord, His Son, the “stone the builders rejected” conquers death and joins Him in new life.
Gospel Matthew 28:1-10
St. Matthew’s account of the empty tomb has much in common with Mark and Luke. Unique in this account is the dramatic action which rolls the stone away from the tomb and the proactive angelic presence announcing the resurrection. In none of the Gospel accounts do we actually see Christ rising from the dead. The empty tomb and the reminder that Jesus told his disciples that he would rise after three days is the evidence of the great salvific event.
The two women’s encounter with Christ as the ran to tell the disciples is unique in the synoptic Gospels but is similar to the account from St. John. They embraced him- a physical form, raised from the dead.
Reflection:
As has been the custom on this Vigil day, we offer you for your reflection the great proclamation of Easter which announces the Risen Lord throughout the Church this evening. I ask you to pray it we me today:
Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!
Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!
Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!
My dearest friends,
standing with me in this holy light,
join me in asking God for mercy,
that he may give his unworthy minister
grace to sing his Easter praises.
(followed by the usual exchange asking that we lift up our hearts)
It is truly right
that with full hearts and minds and voices
we should praise the unseen God, the all-powerful Father,
and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
For Christ has ransomed us with his blood,
and paid for us the price of Adam's sin to our eternal Father!
This is our passover feast,
when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.
This is the night
when first you saved our fathers:
you freed the people of Israel from their slavery
and led them dry-shod through the sea.
This is the night
when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of sin!
This is night
when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.
This is the night
when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.
What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?
Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave you gave away your Son.
O happy fault,
O necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer!
Most blessed of all nights,
chosen by God to see Christ rising from the dead!
Of this night scripture says:
"The night will be as clear as day:
it will become my light, my joy."
The power of this holy night dispels all evil,
washes guilt away, restores lost innocence,
brings mourners joy;
it casts out hatred, brings us peace,
and humbles earthly pride.
Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth
and man is reconciled with God!
Therefore, heavenly Father,
in the joy of this night,
receive our evening sacrifice of praise,
your Church's solemn offering.
Accept this Easter candle,
a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.
(For it is fed by the melting wax,
which the mother bee brought forth
to make this precious candle.)
Let it mingle with the lights of heaven
and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!
May the Morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning:
Christ, that Morning Star,
who came back from the dead,
and shed his peaceful light on all mankind,
your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
Please Pray for Esther.
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “The three Marys at the Tomb” by Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308
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