Date: April 11, 2020
New American Bible readings
New American Bible readings
First reading (Genesis 1:1 – 2:2)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." Thus evening came, and morning followed—the first day. Then God said, "Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other." And so it happened: God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it. God called the dome "the sky." Evening came, and morning followed—the second day. Then God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear." And so it happened: the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry land "the earth," and the basin of the water he called "the sea." God saw how good it was. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it." And so it happened: the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the third day. Then God said: "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night. Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years, and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth." And so it happened: God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the fourth day. Then God said, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky." And so it happened: God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, "Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth." Evening came, and morning followed—the fifth day. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds." And so it happened: God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." God also said: "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
Second reading (Genesis 22: 1–18)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said: "Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you." Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. Then he said to his servants: "Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you." Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham: "Father!" Isaac said. "Yes, son, " he replied. Isaac continued, "Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?" "Son," Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust." Then the two continued going forward. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven, "Abraham, Abraham!" "Here I am!" he answered. "Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger. "Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son." As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, “On the mountain the LORD will see." Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing all this because you obeyed my command."
Third reading (Exodus 14:15 – 15:1)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
The LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers." The angel of God, who had been leading Israel's camp, now moved and went around behind them. The column of cloud also, leaving the front, took up its place behind them, so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed without the rival camps coming any closer together all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land. When the water was thus divided, the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. The Egyptians followed in pursuit; all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea. In the night watch just before dawn, the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and he so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive. With that, the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians. Then the LORD told Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the LORD hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army, which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus, the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
Fourth reading (Isaiah 54: 5–14)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
The One who has become your husband is your Maker; his name is the LORD of hosts; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth. The LORD calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment, I abandoned you, but with great tenderness, I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you, says the LORD, your redeemer. This is for me like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah should never again deluge the earth; so I have sworn not to be angry with you, or to rebuke you. Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD, who has mercy on you. O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled, I lay your pavements in carnelians, and your foundations in sapphires; I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of carbuncles, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In justice shall you be established, far from the fear of oppression, where destruction cannot come near you.
Fifth reading (Isaiah 55: 1–11)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Sixth reading (Baruch 3: 9–15, 32C and 4:4)
A reading from the book of the prophet Baruch.
Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life: listen, and know prudence! How is it, Israel, that you are in the land of your foes, grown old in a foreign land, defiled with the dead, accounted with those destined for the netherworld? You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom! Had you walked in the way of God, you would have dwelt in enduring peace. Learn where prudence is, where strength, where understanding; that you may know also where are length of days, and life, where light of the eyes, and peace. Who has found the place of wisdom, who has entered into her treasuries? The One who knows all things knows her; he has probed her by his knowledge. The One who established the earth for all time, and filled it with four-footed beasts; he who dismisses the light, and it departs, calls it, and it obeys him trembling; before whom the stars at their posts shine and rejoice; when he calls them, they answer, "Here we are!" shining with joy for their Maker. Such is our God; no other is to be compared to him: He has traced out the whole way of understanding, and has given her to Jacob, his servant, to Israel, his beloved son. Since then she has appeared on earth, and moved among people. She is the book of the precepts of God, the law that endures forever; all who cling to her will live, but those will die who forsake her. Turn, O Jacob, and receive her: walk by her light toward splendor. Give not your glory to another, your privileges to an alien race. Blessed are we, O Israel; for what pleases God is known to us!
Seventh reading (Ezekiel 36: 16–17A and 18–28)
A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their conduct and deeds. Therefore I poured out my fury upon them because of the blood that they poured out on the ground, and because they defiled it with idols. I scattered them among the nations, dispersing them over foreign lands; according to their conduct and deeds I judged them. But when they came among the nations wherever they came, they served to profane my holy name, because it was said of them: "These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave their land." So I have relented because of my holy name which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they came. Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD: Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you came. I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you. For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Epistle (Romans 6: 3–11)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
Gospel (Matthew 28: 1–10)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
A reading from the book of Genesis.
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." Thus evening came, and morning followed—the first day. Then God said, "Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other." And so it happened: God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it. God called the dome "the sky." Evening came, and morning followed—the second day. Then God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear." And so it happened: the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry land "the earth," and the basin of the water he called "the sea." God saw how good it was. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it." And so it happened: the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the third day. Then God said: "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night. Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years, and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth." And so it happened: God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the fourth day. Then God said, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky." And so it happened: God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, "Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth." Evening came, and morning followed—the fifth day. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds." And so it happened: God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." God also said: "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
Second reading (Genesis 22: 1–18)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said: "Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you." Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. Then he said to his servants: "Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you." Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham: "Father!" Isaac said. "Yes, son, " he replied. Isaac continued, "Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?" "Son," Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust." Then the two continued going forward. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven, "Abraham, Abraham!" "Here I am!" he answered. "Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger. "Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son." As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, “On the mountain the LORD will see." Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing all this because you obeyed my command."
Third reading (Exodus 14:15 – 15:1)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
The LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers." The angel of God, who had been leading Israel's camp, now moved and went around behind them. The column of cloud also, leaving the front, took up its place behind them, so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed without the rival camps coming any closer together all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land. When the water was thus divided, the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. The Egyptians followed in pursuit; all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea. In the night watch just before dawn, the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and he so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive. With that, the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians. Then the LORD told Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the LORD hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army, which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus, the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
Fourth reading (Isaiah 54: 5–14)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
The One who has become your husband is your Maker; his name is the LORD of hosts; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth. The LORD calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment, I abandoned you, but with great tenderness, I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you, says the LORD, your redeemer. This is for me like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah should never again deluge the earth; so I have sworn not to be angry with you, or to rebuke you. Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD, who has mercy on you. O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled, I lay your pavements in carnelians, and your foundations in sapphires; I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of carbuncles, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In justice shall you be established, far from the fear of oppression, where destruction cannot come near you.
Fifth reading (Isaiah 55: 1–11)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Sixth reading (Baruch 3: 9–15, 32C and 4:4)
A reading from the book of the prophet Baruch.
Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life: listen, and know prudence! How is it, Israel, that you are in the land of your foes, grown old in a foreign land, defiled with the dead, accounted with those destined for the netherworld? You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom! Had you walked in the way of God, you would have dwelt in enduring peace. Learn where prudence is, where strength, where understanding; that you may know also where are length of days, and life, where light of the eyes, and peace. Who has found the place of wisdom, who has entered into her treasuries? The One who knows all things knows her; he has probed her by his knowledge. The One who established the earth for all time, and filled it with four-footed beasts; he who dismisses the light, and it departs, calls it, and it obeys him trembling; before whom the stars at their posts shine and rejoice; when he calls them, they answer, "Here we are!" shining with joy for their Maker. Such is our God; no other is to be compared to him: He has traced out the whole way of understanding, and has given her to Jacob, his servant, to Israel, his beloved son. Since then she has appeared on earth, and moved among people. She is the book of the precepts of God, the law that endures forever; all who cling to her will live, but those will die who forsake her. Turn, O Jacob, and receive her: walk by her light toward splendor. Give not your glory to another, your privileges to an alien race. Blessed are we, O Israel; for what pleases God is known to us!
Seventh reading (Ezekiel 36: 16–17A and 18–28)
A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their conduct and deeds. Therefore I poured out my fury upon them because of the blood that they poured out on the ground, and because they defiled it with idols. I scattered them among the nations, dispersing them over foreign lands; according to their conduct and deeds I judged them. But when they came among the nations wherever they came, they served to profane my holy name, because it was said of them: "These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave their land." So I have relented because of my holy name which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they came. Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD: Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you came. I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you. For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Epistle (Romans 6: 3–11)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
Gospel (Matthew 28: 1–10)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings
Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings
First reading (Genesis 1:1 – 2:2)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
In the beginning, when God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth had no form and was void; darkness was over the deep and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. God stated, "Let there be light"; and there was light. God saw that the light was good and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'Day' and the darkness 'Night'. There was evening and there was morning: the first day. God stated, "Let there be a firm ceiling between the waters and let it separate waters from waters." So God made the ceiling and separated the waters below it from the waters above it. And so it was. God called the firm ceiling 'Sky'. There was evening and there was morning: the second day. God stated, "Let the waters below the sky be gathered together in one place and let dry land appear." And so it was. God called the dry land 'Earth', and the waters gathered together he called "Seas'. God saw that it was good. God stated, "Let the earth produce vegetation, seed-bearing plants, fruit trees bearing fruit with seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth." And so it was. The earth produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kind and trees producing fruit which has seed, according it their kind. God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning: the third day. God stated, "Let there be lights in the ceiling of the sky to separate day from night and to serve as signs for the seasons, days, and years; and let these lights in the sky shine above the earth." And so it was. God therefore created two great lights, the greater light to govern the day and the smaller light to govern the night; and God made the stars as well. God place the stars in the ceiling of the sky to give light on the earth and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning: the fourth day. God stated, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth under the ceiling of the sky." God created the great creatures of the sea and all living animals, those that teem in the waters, according to their kind, and every winged bird, according to its kind. God saw that it was good. God blessed them saying, "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the waters of the sea, and let the birds increase on the earth." There was evening and there was morning: the fifth day. God stated, "Let the earth produce living animals according to their kind: cattle, creatures that move along the ground, wild animals according to their kind." So it was. God created the wild animals according to their kind, and everything that creeps along the ground according to its kind. God saw that it was good. God stated, "Let us make man in our image, to our likeness. Let them rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle, over the wild animals, and over all creeping things that crawl along the ground." So God created man in his image; in the image of God created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and stated to them, "Be fruitful and augment in number, fill the earth and subdue it, rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky, over every living creature that moves on the ground." God stated, "I have given you every seed-bearing plant which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree that bears fruit with seed. It will be for your food. To every wild animal, to every bird of the sky, to everything that creeps along the ground, to everything that has the breath of life, I give every green plant for food." So it was. God saw all that he had created, and it was very good. There was evening and there was morning: the sixth day. That was the way the sky and earth were created and all their vast array. By the seventh day the work God had done was completed, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had done.
Second reading (Genesis 22: 1–18)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
Some time later God tested Abraham and stated to him, "Abraham!" And he answered, "Here I am." Then God stated, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I shall point out to you." Abraham rose early next morning and saddled his donkey and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He chopped wood for the burnt offering and set out for the place to which God had directed him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance, and he stated to the young men, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He carried in his hand the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke to Abraham, his father, "Father!" And Abraham replied, "Yes, my son?" Isaac stated, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" Abraham replied, "God himself will provide the lamb for the sacrifice." They went on, the two of them together, until they came to the place to which God had directed them. When Abraham had built the altar and set the wood on it, he bound his son Isaac and laid him on the wood placed on the altar. He then stretched out his hand to seize the knife and slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" And he replied, "Here I am." "Do not lay your hand on the boy; do not harm him, for now I know that you fear God, and you have not held back from me your only son." Abraham looked around and saw behind him a ram caught by its horns in a bush. He offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place 'The Lord will provide.' And the saying has lasted to this day. And the Angel of the Lord called from heaven a second time, "By myself I have sworn, it is the Lord who speaks, because you have done this and not held back your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the lands of their enemies. All the nations of the earth will be blessed through your descendants because you have obeyed me."
Third reading (Exodus 14:15 – 15:1)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
The Lord stated to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. You will raise your staff and stretch your hand over the sea and divide to let the Israelites go dry foot through the sea. I will so harden the minds of the Egyptians that they will follow you. And I will have glory at the expense of Pharaoh, his army, his chariots and horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory for myself at the cost of Pharaoh and his army!" The Angel of God who had gone ahead of the Israelites now placed himself behind them. The pillar of cloud changed its position from the front to the rear, between the camps of the Israelites and the Egyptians. For one army the cloud provided light, for the other darkness so that throughout the night the armies drew no closer to each other. Moses stretched his hand of the sea and the Lord made a strong east wind blow all night and dry up the sea. The waters divided and the sons of Israel went on dry ground through the middle of the sea, with the waters forming a wall to their right and to their left. The Egyptians followed them and all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots and horsemen moved forward in the middle of the sea. It happened that in the morning watch, the Lord in the pillar and fire, looked towards the Egyptian camp and threw it into confusion. He so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly move. Then the Egyptians stated, "Let us flee from the Israelites for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt." Then the Lord stated to Moses, "Stretch your hand over the sea and let the waters come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and horsemen." Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. At daybreak the sea returned to its place. As the Egyptians tried to retreat, the Lord swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and engulfed the chariots and horsemen of the whole army of Pharaoh that had followed Israel into the sea. Not one of them escaped. As for the Israelites they went forward on dry ground in the middle of the sea, the waters forming a wall on their right and their left. On that day the Lord delivered Israel from the power of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore. They understood what wonders the Lord had done for them against Egypt, and the people feared the Lord. They believed in the Lord and in Moses, his servant. Then Moses and the people sang this song to the Lord: I will sing to the Lord, the glorious one, horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
Fourth reading (Isaiah 54: 5–14)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
For your maker is to marry you: the Lord Sabaoth is his name. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel: He is called God of all the earth. For the Lord has called you back as one forsaken and grieved in spirit. "Who could abandon his first beloved?" says your God. For a brief moment I have abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will gather my people. For a moment, in an outburst of anger, I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I have had mercy on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. This is for me like Noah's waters, when I swore that they would no more flood the earth; so now I swear not to be angry with you and never again to rebuke you. The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but never will my love depart from you nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord whose compassion is for you. O afflicted city, lashed by storm and unconsoled, I will set your stones with turquoise, your foundation with sapphires. I will crown your wall with agate, make your gates crystal, and your ramparts of precious stones. All your children will be taught by the Lord, and they will prosper greatly. Justice will be your foundation; tyranny and the fear of oppression will never come near you.
Fifth reading (Isaiah 55: 1–11)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Come here, all you who are thirsty, come to the water! All who have no money, come! Yes, without money and at no cost, buy and drink wine and milk. Why spend money on what is not food and labor for what does not satisfy? Listen to me, and you will eat well; you will enjoy the richest of fare. Incline your ear and come to me; listen, that your soul may live. I will make you you an everlasting covenant, I will fulfill in you many promises to David. See, I have given him for a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the people. Likewise you will summon a nation unknown to you, and nations that do not know you will come hurrying to you for the sake of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has promised you. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call to him while he is near. Let the wicked abandon his way, let him forsake his thoughts, let him turn to the Lord for he will have mercy, for our God is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, may ways are not your ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are above the earth, so are may ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return till they have watered the earth, make it yield seed for the sower and food for others to eat, so is my word that goes forth out of my mouth: it will not return to me idle, but it shall accomplish my will, the purpose for which it has been sent.
Sixth reading (Baruch 3: 9–15, 32 – 4:4)
A reading from the book of the prophet Baruch.
Listen, Israel, to the commands of life, give ear so as to learn prudence. Why, Israel! Why are you in the land of your foes? Why are you growing old in a foreign country, contaminated by pagans, counted among those who go to the pit? You have abandoned the source of Wisdom. If you had walked in the way of God, peace would be your dwelling place forever. Learn where is Wisdom, where is Strength and Understanding, that you may know, at the same time, where are length of days and life, light of the eyes and peace. Who will find Wisdom's dwelling? Who will enter her storage rooms? But he who knows her path, no one who thinks of her way. But he who knows everything recognizes her. He has found her in his own intellect. He who created the earth, for all time, and has filled it with four-footed beings. He who sends the light, and it goes, who recalls it, and trembling it obeys. The stars shine, full of joy, to keep their night watches. He calls them and they answer, "Here we are." They shine with joy for their creator. It is he who is our God, no other can be compared with him. He has found the way of understanding and has given her to Jacob his servant and to Israel his well-beloved. Then Wisdom was seen on earth and lived among humans. She herself is the book of the commands of God, the law which endures forever. All who hold fast to her will have life but those who abandon her will die. Come back, Jacob, and embrace her, walk towards brightness under her light. Do not give up what is your glory or sell your privileges to any strange nation. We are fortunate, O Israel, for we know what pleases the Lord!
Seventh reading (Ezekiel 36: 16–28)
A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
The word of the Lord came to me in these terms, "Son of man, when Israel occupied her own land she defiled it by her way of life and her actions. To me her conduct was like the uncleanness of a women in her period. I poured out my fury on them because of the blood they shed in the land and because they defiled it with their filthy idols. Then I scattered them among the nations and disperse them in other lands. I judged them according to their conduct and their actions. But when they were brought to other nations, my holy Name was profaned because others stated to them: 'The people of the Lord had to be exiled from this land!' Then I was concerned for my holy Name, profaned by Israel among the nations where she had been dispersed. Now you shall say to the people of Israel: It is not for your sake that I am about to act, but because of my holy Name that you have profaned in the places where you have gone. I will make known the holiness of my great Name, profaned among the nations because of you, and they will know that I am the Lord when I show them my holiness among you. For I will gather you from all the nations and bring you back to your own land. Then I shall pour pure water over you and you shall be made clean – cleansed from the defilement of all your idols. I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I shall remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I shall put my spirit within you and move you to follow my decrees and keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be my people and I will be your God.
Epistle (Romans 6: 3–11)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Brothers and sisters: You know that in baptism which unites us to Christ we are all baptized and plunged into his death. By this baptism in his death, we were buried with Christ and, as Christ was raised from among the dead by the Glory of the Father, so we begin walking in a new life. I was an image of his death when we were grafted in him, and so we will also share in his resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Christ, so as to destroy what of us was sin — if we are dead, we are no longer in debt to sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him. We know that Christ, once risen from the dead, will never die again and death has no more dominion over him. There has been death: a death to sin once for all; there is life; a life in God. So you, too, must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Gospel (Matthew 28: 1–10)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
After the Sabbath, at the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake: an angel of the Lord descending from heaven, came to the stone, rolled it from the entrance of the tomb, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his garment white as snow. The guards trembled in fear and become like dead men when they saw the angel. The angel stated to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him: then go at once and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead and is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. This is my message for you.” They left the tomb at once in holy fear, yet with great joy, and they ran to tell the news to the disciples. Suddenly, Jesus met them on the way and stated, “Peace.” The woman approached him, embraced his feet and worshiped him. But Jesus stated to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to set out for Galilee; there they will see me.”
A reading from the book of Genesis.
In the beginning, when God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth had no form and was void; darkness was over the deep and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. God stated, "Let there be light"; and there was light. God saw that the light was good and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'Day' and the darkness 'Night'. There was evening and there was morning: the first day. God stated, "Let there be a firm ceiling between the waters and let it separate waters from waters." So God made the ceiling and separated the waters below it from the waters above it. And so it was. God called the firm ceiling 'Sky'. There was evening and there was morning: the second day. God stated, "Let the waters below the sky be gathered together in one place and let dry land appear." And so it was. God called the dry land 'Earth', and the waters gathered together he called "Seas'. God saw that it was good. God stated, "Let the earth produce vegetation, seed-bearing plants, fruit trees bearing fruit with seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth." And so it was. The earth produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kind and trees producing fruit which has seed, according it their kind. God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning: the third day. God stated, "Let there be lights in the ceiling of the sky to separate day from night and to serve as signs for the seasons, days, and years; and let these lights in the sky shine above the earth." And so it was. God therefore created two great lights, the greater light to govern the day and the smaller light to govern the night; and God made the stars as well. God place the stars in the ceiling of the sky to give light on the earth and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning: the fourth day. God stated, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth under the ceiling of the sky." God created the great creatures of the sea and all living animals, those that teem in the waters, according to their kind, and every winged bird, according to its kind. God saw that it was good. God blessed them saying, "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the waters of the sea, and let the birds increase on the earth." There was evening and there was morning: the fifth day. God stated, "Let the earth produce living animals according to their kind: cattle, creatures that move along the ground, wild animals according to their kind." So it was. God created the wild animals according to their kind, and everything that creeps along the ground according to its kind. God saw that it was good. God stated, "Let us make man in our image, to our likeness. Let them rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle, over the wild animals, and over all creeping things that crawl along the ground." So God created man in his image; in the image of God created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and stated to them, "Be fruitful and augment in number, fill the earth and subdue it, rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky, over every living creature that moves on the ground." God stated, "I have given you every seed-bearing plant which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree that bears fruit with seed. It will be for your food. To every wild animal, to every bird of the sky, to everything that creeps along the ground, to everything that has the breath of life, I give every green plant for food." So it was. God saw all that he had created, and it was very good. There was evening and there was morning: the sixth day. That was the way the sky and earth were created and all their vast array. By the seventh day the work God had done was completed, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had done.
Second reading (Genesis 22: 1–18)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
Some time later God tested Abraham and stated to him, "Abraham!" And he answered, "Here I am." Then God stated, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I shall point out to you." Abraham rose early next morning and saddled his donkey and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He chopped wood for the burnt offering and set out for the place to which God had directed him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance, and he stated to the young men, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He carried in his hand the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke to Abraham, his father, "Father!" And Abraham replied, "Yes, my son?" Isaac stated, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" Abraham replied, "God himself will provide the lamb for the sacrifice." They went on, the two of them together, until they came to the place to which God had directed them. When Abraham had built the altar and set the wood on it, he bound his son Isaac and laid him on the wood placed on the altar. He then stretched out his hand to seize the knife and slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" And he replied, "Here I am." "Do not lay your hand on the boy; do not harm him, for now I know that you fear God, and you have not held back from me your only son." Abraham looked around and saw behind him a ram caught by its horns in a bush. He offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place 'The Lord will provide.' And the saying has lasted to this day. And the Angel of the Lord called from heaven a second time, "By myself I have sworn, it is the Lord who speaks, because you have done this and not held back your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the lands of their enemies. All the nations of the earth will be blessed through your descendants because you have obeyed me."
Third reading (Exodus 14:15 – 15:1)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
The Lord stated to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. You will raise your staff and stretch your hand over the sea and divide to let the Israelites go dry foot through the sea. I will so harden the minds of the Egyptians that they will follow you. And I will have glory at the expense of Pharaoh, his army, his chariots and horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory for myself at the cost of Pharaoh and his army!" The Angel of God who had gone ahead of the Israelites now placed himself behind them. The pillar of cloud changed its position from the front to the rear, between the camps of the Israelites and the Egyptians. For one army the cloud provided light, for the other darkness so that throughout the night the armies drew no closer to each other. Moses stretched his hand of the sea and the Lord made a strong east wind blow all night and dry up the sea. The waters divided and the sons of Israel went on dry ground through the middle of the sea, with the waters forming a wall to their right and to their left. The Egyptians followed them and all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots and horsemen moved forward in the middle of the sea. It happened that in the morning watch, the Lord in the pillar and fire, looked towards the Egyptian camp and threw it into confusion. He so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly move. Then the Egyptians stated, "Let us flee from the Israelites for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt." Then the Lord stated to Moses, "Stretch your hand over the sea and let the waters come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and horsemen." Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. At daybreak the sea returned to its place. As the Egyptians tried to retreat, the Lord swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and engulfed the chariots and horsemen of the whole army of Pharaoh that had followed Israel into the sea. Not one of them escaped. As for the Israelites they went forward on dry ground in the middle of the sea, the waters forming a wall on their right and their left. On that day the Lord delivered Israel from the power of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore. They understood what wonders the Lord had done for them against Egypt, and the people feared the Lord. They believed in the Lord and in Moses, his servant. Then Moses and the people sang this song to the Lord: I will sing to the Lord, the glorious one, horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
Fourth reading (Isaiah 54: 5–14)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
For your maker is to marry you: the Lord Sabaoth is his name. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel: He is called God of all the earth. For the Lord has called you back as one forsaken and grieved in spirit. "Who could abandon his first beloved?" says your God. For a brief moment I have abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will gather my people. For a moment, in an outburst of anger, I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I have had mercy on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. This is for me like Noah's waters, when I swore that they would no more flood the earth; so now I swear not to be angry with you and never again to rebuke you. The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but never will my love depart from you nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord whose compassion is for you. O afflicted city, lashed by storm and unconsoled, I will set your stones with turquoise, your foundation with sapphires. I will crown your wall with agate, make your gates crystal, and your ramparts of precious stones. All your children will be taught by the Lord, and they will prosper greatly. Justice will be your foundation; tyranny and the fear of oppression will never come near you.
Fifth reading (Isaiah 55: 1–11)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Come here, all you who are thirsty, come to the water! All who have no money, come! Yes, without money and at no cost, buy and drink wine and milk. Why spend money on what is not food and labor for what does not satisfy? Listen to me, and you will eat well; you will enjoy the richest of fare. Incline your ear and come to me; listen, that your soul may live. I will make you you an everlasting covenant, I will fulfill in you many promises to David. See, I have given him for a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the people. Likewise you will summon a nation unknown to you, and nations that do not know you will come hurrying to you for the sake of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has promised you. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call to him while he is near. Let the wicked abandon his way, let him forsake his thoughts, let him turn to the Lord for he will have mercy, for our God is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, may ways are not your ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are above the earth, so are may ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return till they have watered the earth, make it yield seed for the sower and food for others to eat, so is my word that goes forth out of my mouth: it will not return to me idle, but it shall accomplish my will, the purpose for which it has been sent.
Sixth reading (Baruch 3: 9–15, 32 – 4:4)
A reading from the book of the prophet Baruch.
Listen, Israel, to the commands of life, give ear so as to learn prudence. Why, Israel! Why are you in the land of your foes? Why are you growing old in a foreign country, contaminated by pagans, counted among those who go to the pit? You have abandoned the source of Wisdom. If you had walked in the way of God, peace would be your dwelling place forever. Learn where is Wisdom, where is Strength and Understanding, that you may know, at the same time, where are length of days and life, light of the eyes and peace. Who will find Wisdom's dwelling? Who will enter her storage rooms? But he who knows her path, no one who thinks of her way. But he who knows everything recognizes her. He has found her in his own intellect. He who created the earth, for all time, and has filled it with four-footed beings. He who sends the light, and it goes, who recalls it, and trembling it obeys. The stars shine, full of joy, to keep their night watches. He calls them and they answer, "Here we are." They shine with joy for their creator. It is he who is our God, no other can be compared with him. He has found the way of understanding and has given her to Jacob his servant and to Israel his well-beloved. Then Wisdom was seen on earth and lived among humans. She herself is the book of the commands of God, the law which endures forever. All who hold fast to her will have life but those who abandon her will die. Come back, Jacob, and embrace her, walk towards brightness under her light. Do not give up what is your glory or sell your privileges to any strange nation. We are fortunate, O Israel, for we know what pleases the Lord!
Seventh reading (Ezekiel 36: 16–28)
A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
The word of the Lord came to me in these terms, "Son of man, when Israel occupied her own land she defiled it by her way of life and her actions. To me her conduct was like the uncleanness of a women in her period. I poured out my fury on them because of the blood they shed in the land and because they defiled it with their filthy idols. Then I scattered them among the nations and disperse them in other lands. I judged them according to their conduct and their actions. But when they were brought to other nations, my holy Name was profaned because others stated to them: 'The people of the Lord had to be exiled from this land!' Then I was concerned for my holy Name, profaned by Israel among the nations where she had been dispersed. Now you shall say to the people of Israel: It is not for your sake that I am about to act, but because of my holy Name that you have profaned in the places where you have gone. I will make known the holiness of my great Name, profaned among the nations because of you, and they will know that I am the Lord when I show them my holiness among you. For I will gather you from all the nations and bring you back to your own land. Then I shall pour pure water over you and you shall be made clean – cleansed from the defilement of all your idols. I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I shall remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I shall put my spirit within you and move you to follow my decrees and keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be my people and I will be your God.
Epistle (Romans 6: 3–11)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Brothers and sisters: You know that in baptism which unites us to Christ we are all baptized and plunged into his death. By this baptism in his death, we were buried with Christ and, as Christ was raised from among the dead by the Glory of the Father, so we begin walking in a new life. I was an image of his death when we were grafted in him, and so we will also share in his resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Christ, so as to destroy what of us was sin — if we are dead, we are no longer in debt to sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him. We know that Christ, once risen from the dead, will never die again and death has no more dominion over him. There has been death: a death to sin once for all; there is life; a life in God. So you, too, must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Gospel (Matthew 28: 1–10)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
After the Sabbath, at the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake: an angel of the Lord descending from heaven, came to the stone, rolled it from the entrance of the tomb, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his garment white as snow. The guards trembled in fear and become like dead men when they saw the angel. The angel stated to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him: then go at once and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead and is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. This is my message for you.” They left the tomb at once in holy fear, yet with great joy, and they ran to tell the news to the disciples. Suddenly, Jesus met them on the way and stated, “Peace.” The woman approached him, embraced his feet and worshiped him. But Jesus stated to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to set out for Galilee; there they will see me.”
The Easter Vigil Mass is split into four different parts: The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil (the Service of Light), the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Sacrament of Initiation, and finally, the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
ReplyDeleteNine readings are assigned for the Easter Vigil. However, due to the limited time available for celebrating the Mass, the number of prescribed readings has to be reduced to five. Three readings from the Old Testament are read, while two readings, the epistle and the gospel are read. In any case, the reading from Exodus 14:15 – 15:1 should not be omitted.
DeleteOnly in cases where time is allowed, all nine readings may be read.
DeleteThe priest states this to begin the vigil Mass: Dear brethren (brothers and sisters), on this most sacred night, in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, the Church calls upon her sons and daughters, scattered throughout the world, to come together to watch and pray. If we keep the memorial of the Lord's paschal solemnity in this way, listening to his word and celebrating his mysteries, then we shall have the sure hope of sharing his triumph over death and living with him in God.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the Mass, the lights are turned off. The Entrance Hymn is omitted since the vigil commences solemnly.
DeleteDepending in what parish is the Easter Vigil mass celebrated, the celebration may start inside or outside the Church.
DeleteAfter the statement above, the priest blesses the fire, stating with hands extended: Let us pray. O God, who through your Son bestowed upon the faithful the fire of your glory, sanctify this new fire, we pray, and grant that by these paschal celebrations, we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires, that with minds made pure we may attain festivities of unending splendor. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
DeleteAfter the blessing of the new fire, one of the ministers brings the paschal candle to the celebrant, who cuts a cross in the candle with a stylus. Then he traces the Greek letter alpha above the cross, the letter omega below, and the four numerals of the current year between the arms of the cross. Meanwhile, the priest states: Christ yesterday and today (traces the vertical arm of the cross), the beginning and the end, (the horizontal arm), Alpha (above the cross), and Omega (below the cross), all time belongs to him (1st digit of the current year), and all the ages (2nd digit of the current year), to him be glory and power (3rd digit of the current year), through every age forever (final digit of the current year). Amen.
DeleteAfter this, the priest inserts five grains of incense in the candle in the form of a cross, meanwhile stating: By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ our Lord guard us and keep us. Amen.
DeleteThen the priest lights the paschal candle from the new fire, stating: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
DeleteWhen the candle has been lit, one of the ministers takes burning coals from the fire and places them in the thurible, and the priest puts incense into it. The priest takes the Easter candle, lifts it high, and then sings: The Light of Christ.
DeleteCongregation will reply: Thanks be to God.
All servers enter the church, led by the priest with the Easter candle. If incense is used, the thurifer goes before the deacon (if available). At the church door, the priest lifts the candle high and sings a second time: The Light of Christ.
Congregation will reply: Thanks be to God.
All congregation will light their candles from the paschal candle and continue in the procession. When the priest arrives before the altar, he faces the people and sings a third time: The Light of Christ.
Congregation will reply: Thanks be to God.
After this, the paschal candle is placed on the large stand specialized for the candle. Then the lights in the church turn on, except for the altar candles.
The Easter proclamation is sung in English or in Latin. The congregation will remain standing and hold their lighted candles.
DeleteBelow is the Easter proclamation in English.
DeleteExult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven, exult, let Angel ministers of God exult, let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King's triumph! Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King, let all corners of the earth be glad, knowing an end to gloom and darkness. Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice, arrayed with the lightning of his glory, let this holy building shake with joy, filled with the mighty voices of the peoples. (Therefore, dearest friends, standing in the awesome glory of this holy light, invoke with me, I ask you, the mercy of God almighty, that he, who has been pleased to number me, though unworthy, among the Levites, may pour into me his light unshadowed, that I may sing this candle's perfect praises.)
DeleteDeacon: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Deacon: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Deacon: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, with ardent love of mind and heart and with devoted service of our voice, to acclaim our God invisible, the almighty Father, and Jesus Christ, our Lord, his Son, his Only Begotten. Who for our sake paid Adam's debt to the eternal Father, and, pouring out his own dear Blood, wiped clean the record of our ancient sinfulness. These, then, are the feasts of Passover, in which is slain the Lamb, the one true Lamb, whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers. This is the night, when once you led our forebears, Israel's children, from slavery in Egypt and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea. This is the night that with a pillar of fire banished the darkness of sin. This is the night that even now throughout the world, sets Christian believers apart from worldly vices and from the gloom of sin, leading them to grace and joining them to his holy ones. This is the night when Christ broke the prison-bars of death and rose victorious from the underworld. Our birth would have been no gain, had we not been redeemed. O wonder of your humble care for us! O love, O charity beyond all telling, to ransom a slave you gave away your Son! O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the Death of Christ! O happy fault that earned for us so great, so glorious a Redeemer! O truly blessed night, worthy alone to know the time and hour when Christ rose from the underworld! This is the night of which it is written: The night shall be as bright as day, dazzling is the night for me, and full of gladness. The sanctifying power of this night dispels wickedness, washes faults away, restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners, drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty. On this, your night of grace, O holy Father, accept this candle, a solemn offering, the work of bees and of your servants' hands, an evening sacrifice of praise, this gift from your most holy Church. But now we know the praises of this pillar, which glowing fire ignites for God's honour, a fire into many flames divided, yet never dimmed by sharing of its light, for it is fed by melting wax, drawn out by mother bees to build a torch so precious. O truly blessed night, when things of heaven are wed to those of earth, and divine to the human. Therefore, O Lord, we pray you that this candle, hallowed to the honour of your name, may persevere undimmed, to overcome the darkness of this night. Receive it as a pleasing fragrance, and let it mingle with the lights of heaven. May this flame be found still burning by the Morning Star: the one Morning Star who never sets, Christ your Son, who, coming back from death's domain, has shed his peaceful light on humanity, and lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Above is the Easter proclamation in English. Below is the Easter proclamation in Latin.
DeleteExsúltet iam angélica turba cælórum: exsúltent divína mystéria: et pro tanti Regis victória tuba ínsonet salutáris. Gáudeat et tellus, tantis irradiáta fulgóribus: et ætérni Regis splendóre illustráta, tótius orbis se séntiat amisísse calíginem. Lætétur et mater Ecclésia, tanti lúminis adornáta fulgóribus: et magnis populórum vócibus hæc aula resúltet. [Quaprópter astántes vos, fratres caríssimi, ad tam miram huius sancti lúminis claritátem, una mecum, quæso, Dei omnipoténtis misericórdiam invocáte. Ut, qui me non meis méritis intra Levitárum númerum dignátus est aggregáre, lúminis sui claritátem infúndens, cérei huius laudem implére perfíciat.]
Delete[V/ Dóminus vobíscum.
R/ Et cum spíritu tuo.]
V/ Sursum corda.
R/ Habémus ad Dóminum.
V/ Grátias agámus Dómino Deo nostro.
R/ Dignum et iustum est.
Vere dignum et iustum est, invisíbilem Deum Patrem omnipoténtem Filiúmque eius unigénitum, Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, toto cordis ac mentis afféctu et vocis ministério personáre. Qui pro nobis ætérno Patri Adæ débitum solvit, et véteris piáculi cautiónem pio cruóre detérsit. Hæc sunt enim festa paschália, in quibus verus ille Agnus occíditur, cuius sánguine postes fidélium consecrántur. Hæc nox est, in qua primum patres nostros, fílios Israel edúctos de Ægypto, Mare Rubrum sicco vestígio transíre fecísti. Hæc ígitur nox est, quæ peccatórum ténebras colúmnæ illuminatióne purgávit. Hæc nox est, quæ hódie per univérsum mundum in Christo credéntes, a vítiis sæculi et calígine peccatórum segregátos, reddit grátiæ, sóciat sanctitáti. Hæc nox est, in qua, destrúctis vínculis mortis, Christus ab ínferis victor ascéndit. Nihil enim nobis nasci prófuit, nisi rédimi profuísset. O mira circa nos tuæ pietátis dignátio! O inæstimábilis diléctio caritátis: ut servum redímeres, Fílium tradidísti! O certe necessárium Adæ peccátum, quod Christi morte delétum est! O felix culpa, quæ talem ac tantum méruit habére Redemptórem! O vere beáta nox, quæ sola méruit scire tempus et horam, in qua Christus ab ínferis resurréxit! Hæc nox est, de qua scriptum est: Et nox sicut dies illuminábitur: et nox illuminátio mea in delíciis meis. Huius ígitur sanctificátio noctis fugat scélera, culpas lavat: et reddit innocéntiam lapsis et mæstis lætítiam. Fugat ódia, concórdiam parat et curvat impéria. In huius ígitur noctis grátia, súscipe, sancte Pater, laudis huius sacrifícium vespertínum, quod tibi in hac cérei oblatióne solémni, per ministrórum manus de opéribus apum, sacrosáncta reddit Ecclésia. Sed iam colúmnæ huius præcónia nóvimus, quam in honórem Dei rútilans ignis accéndit. Qui, lícet sit divísus in partes, mutuáti tamen lúminis detrimenta non novit. Alitur enim liquántibus ceris, quas in substántiam pretiósæ huius lámpadis apis mater edúxit. O vere beáta nox, in qua terrénis cæléstia, humánis divína iungúntur! Orámus ergo te, Dómine, ut céreus iste in honórem tui nóminis consecrátus, ad noctis huius calíginem destruéndam, indefíciens persevéret. Et in odórem suavitátis accéptus, supérnis lumináribus misceátur. Flammas eius lúcifer matutínus invéniat: ille, inquam, lúcifer, qui nescit occásum. Christus Fílius tuus, qui, regréssus ab ínferis, humáno géneri serénus illúxit, et vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
Above is the Easter proclamation in Latin. Below is the Easter proclamation in Spanish.
DeleteExulten por fin los coros de los ángeles; exulten las jerarquías del cielo, y por la victoria de rey tan poderoso que las trompetas anuncien la salvación. Goce también la tierra, inundada de tanta claridad, y que, radiante con el fulgor del Rey eterno, se sienta libre de la tiniebla, que cubría el orbe entero. Alégrese también nuestra madre la Iglesia, revestida de luz tan brillante; resuene este templo con las aclamaciones del pueblo. Por eso, queridos hermanos, que asistís a la admirable claridad de esta luz santa, invocad conmigo la misericordia de Dios Omnipotente, para que aquel que, sin mérito mío, me agregó al número de los Diáconos, completen mi alabanza a este cirio, infundiendo el resplandor de su luz.
DeleteEl Señor esté con ustedes. Y con tu espíritu.
Levantemos el corazón. Lo tenemos levantado hacia el Señor.
Demos gracias al Señor, nuestro Dios. Es justo y necesario.
Realmente es justo y necesario aclamar con nuestras voces y con todo el afecto del corazón a Dios invisible, el Padre Todopoderoso, y a su único Hijo, Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Porque Él ha pagado por nosotros al Eterno Padre la deuda de Adán y, derramando su Sangre, canceló el recibo, del antiguo pecado. Porque éstas son las fiestas de Pascua en las que se inmola el verdadero Cordero, cuya Sangre consagra las puertas de los fieles. Esta es la noche en que sacaste de Egipto, a los israelitas, nuestros padres, y los hiciste pasar a pie el Mar Rojo. Esta es la noche en que la columna de fuego esclareció las tinieblas del pecado. Esta es la noche en la que por toda la tierra, los que confiesan su fe en Cristo, son arrancados de los vicios del mundo y de la oscuridad del pecado, son restituidos a la gracia y son agregados a los santos. Esta es la noche en que, rotas las cadenas de la muerte, Cristo asciende victorioso del abismo. ¿De qué nos serviría haber nacido si no hubiéramos sido rescatados? ¡Qué asombroso beneficio de tu amor por nosotros! ¡Qué incomparable ternura y caridad! ¡Para rescatar al esclavo, entregaste al Hijo! Necesario fue el pecado de Adán, que ha sido borrado por la muerte de Cristo. ¡Feliz la culpa que mereció tal Redentor! ¡Qué noche tan dichosa! Sólo ella conoció el momento en que Cristo resucitó del abismo. Esta es la noche de que estaba escrito: "Será la noche clara como el día, la noche iluminada por mi gozo." Y así, esta noche santa ahuyenta los pecados, lava las culpas, devuelve la inocencia a los caídos, la alegría a los tristes, expulsa el odio, trae la concordia, doblega a los potentes. En esta noche de gracia, acepta, Padre Santo, el sacrificio vespertino de esta llama, que la Santa Iglesia te ofrece en la solemne ofrenda de este cirio, obra de las abejas. Sabemos ya lo que anuncia esta columna de fuego, ardiendo en llama viva para gloria de Dios. Y aunque distribuye su luz, no mengua al repartirla, porque se alimenta de cera fundida, que elaboró la abeja fecunda para hacer esta lámpara preciosa. ¡Qué noche tan dichosa en que se une el cielo con la tierra, lo humano con lo divino! Te rogamos, Señor, que este cirio, consagrado a tu nombre, para destruir la oscuridad de esta noche, arda sin apagarse y, aceptado como perfume, se asocie a las lumbreras del cielo. Que el lucero matutino lo encuentre ardiendo, Oh lucero que no conoce ocaso y es Cristo, tu Hijo resucitado, que volviendo del abismo, brilla sereno para el linaje humano, y vive y reina por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
Above is the Easter proclamation in Spanish. Below is the Easter proclamation in French.
DeleteQu'exulte de joie dans le ciel la multitude des anges chantez serviteurs de Dieu et que retentisse la trompette triomphale pour la victoire du grand Roi. Réjouis-toi, ô notre terre, resplendissante d'une lumière éclatante, car il t'a prise en sa clarté et son règne a dissipé ta nuit. Réjouis-toi, Eglise notre mère, toute remplie de sa splendeur, et que résonne l'acclamation du peuple des fils de Dieu ! Unissez, frères bien-aimés, votre voix à la mienne pour que je chante en votre nom, la merveilleuse lumière du Christ ressuscité !
DeleteLe Seigneur soit avec vous ! Et avec votre esprit !
Elevons notre coeur ! Nous le tournons vers le Seigneur !
Rendons grâce au Seigneur notre Dieu ! Cela est juste et bon !
Vraiment il est juste et bon de proclamer à pleine voix ta louange, Dieu invisible, Père tout-puissant et de chanter ton Fils Bien Aimé, Jésus-Christ, notre Seigneur. C'est lui qui a payé pour nous la dette encourue par Adam notre père et qui a détruit en son sang la condamnation de l'ancien péché. Car voici la fête de la Pâque, où l'Agneau véritable est immolé pour nous. Voici la nuit où tu tiras de l'Egypte nos pères, les enfants d'Israël et leur a fait passer la mer Rouge à pied sec, nuit où le feu de la nuée lumineuse a repoussé les ténèbres du péché. O Nuit qui nous rend à la grâce et nous ouvre la communion des saints, Nuit où le Christ, brisant les liens de la mort, s'est relevé victorieux des Enfers. Heureuse faute d'Adam qui nous a valu un tel rédempteur. O Nuit qui seule a pu connaître le temps et l'heure où le Christ est sorti vivant du séjour des morts ! O Nuit dont il est écrit : "La nuit comme le jour illumine, la ténèbre autour de moi devient lumière pour ma joie !" O Nuit bienheureuse, où se rejoignent le ciel et la terre, où s'unissent l'homme et Dieu ! Dans la grâce de cette nuit, accueille, Père très saint, le sacrifice du soir de cette flamme que l'Eglise t'offre par nos mains ; permets que ce cierge pascal consacré à ton Nom, brûle sans déclin en cette nuit et qu'il joigne sa clarté à celle des étoiles. Qu'il brûle encore quand se lèvera l'astre du matin, celui qui ne connaît pas de couchant : le Christ ressuscité revenu des Enfers qui répand sur les hommes sa lumière et sa paix. Garde ton peuple, nous t'en prions, ô notre Père, dans la joie de ces fêtes pascales ! Par Jésus-Christ ton Fils, notre Seigneur, qui par la puissance de l'Esprit s'est relevé d'entre les morts et règne près de toi pour les siècles des siècles ! Alleluia ! Amen !
After the Easter proclamation is sung, the great amen is sung. Then once the song is complete, candle flames are extinguished and the congregation sits down. Then the priest states: Dear brethren (brothers and sisters), now that we have begun our solemn Vigil, let us listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God. Let us meditate on how God in times past saved his people and these, the last days, has sent us his Son as our Redeemer. Let us pray that our God may complete this paschal work of salvation by the fullness of redemption.
ReplyDeleteThis responsorial psalm is recited/sung after the first reading.
ReplyDeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 104) (Verses 1–2, 5–6, 10, 12–14, 24 and 35)
The response is: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak.
You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever; with the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it; above the mountains the waters stood.
You send forth springs into the watercourses that wind among the mountains. Beside them the birds of heaven dwell; from among the branches they send forth their song.
You water the mountains from your palace; the earth is replete with the fruit of your works. You raise grass for the cattle, and vegetation for man's use, producing bread from the earth.
How manifold are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all—the earth is full of your creatures. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
This responsorial psalm is recited/sung after the first reading.
DeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 33) (Verses 4–7, 12–13, 20 and 22)
The response is: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask; in cellars he confines the deep.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down; he sees all mankind.
Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you.
Both the two responsorial psalms are taken from the New American Bible.
DeleteKeep in mind that either of the two responsorial psalms will be recited/sung after the first reading.
DeleteIn general, the choir will take up the responsorial psalm immediately.
DeleteThis responsorial psalm is recited/sung after the second reading.
ReplyDeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 16) (Verses 5 and 8–11)
The response is: You are my inheritance, O Lord.
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.
The responsorial psalm above is recited/sung after the second reading.
DeleteThe responsorial psalm above is taken from the New American Bible.
DeleteThis responsorial psalm is recited/sung after the third reading.
ReplyDeleteResponsorial Psalm (Exodus 15: 1–6 and 17–18)
The response is: Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him.
The LORD is a warrior, LORD is his name! Pharaoh's chariots and army he hurled into the sea; the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea.
The flood waters covered them, they sank into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power, your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.
You brought in the people you redeemed and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance the place where you made your seat, O LORD, the sanctuary, LORD, which your hands established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever.
The responsorial psalm above is recited/sung after the third reading.
DeleteThe responsorial psalm above is taken from the New American Bible.
DeleteThis responsorial is recited/sung after the fourth reading.
ReplyDeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 30) (Verses 2, 4–6 and 11–13)
The response is: I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
The responsorial psalm above is recited/sung after the fourth reading.
DeleteThe responsorial psalm above is taken from the New American Bible.
DeleteThis responsorial psalm is recited/sung after the fifth reading.
ReplyDeleteResponsorial Psalm (Isaiah 12: 2–6)
The response is: You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!
The responsorial psalm above is recited/sung after the fifth reading.
DeleteThe responsorial psalm above is taken from the New American Bible.
DeleteThis responsorial psalm is recited/sung after the sixth reading.
ReplyDeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 19) (Verses 8–11)
The response is: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.
The responsorial psalm above is recited/sung after the sixth reading.
DeleteThe responsorial psalm above is taken from the New American Bible.
DeleteThe following responsorial psalms below are recited/sung after the seventh reading. Depending on whether baptism is celebrated or not, the corresponding psalms must be recited/sung.
ReplyDeleteThe following responsorial psalms are taken from the New American Bible.
DeleteThis responsorial psalm is recited/sung when baptism is celebrated.
DeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 42: 3 and 5 and psalm 43: 3 and 4)
The response is: Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?
I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God, amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival.
Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on. And bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place.
Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God!
This responsorial psalm is recited/sung when baptism is NOT celebrated.
DeleteResponsorial Psalm (Isaiah 12: 2–3 and 4BCD–6)
The response is: You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!
This responsorial psalm is recited/sung when baptism is NOT celebrated.
DeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 51) (Verses 12–15 and 18–19)
The response is: Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a holocaust, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
In general, the choir takes up the responsorial psalm immediately.
DeleteAfter the final reading from the Old Testament with its responsory and prayer, the altar candles are lighted, and the priest in tones the Gloria, which is taken up by all present. The church bells are rung, according to the local custom. At the end of the Gloria, the priest sings or states the collect in the usual way.
ReplyDeleteThis is the Collect after the Gloria:
DeleteO 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, forever and ever. Amen.
This is the Psalm that comes after the epistle of the letter from Saint Paul to the Romans.
DeleteResponsorial Psalm (Psalm 118) (Verses 1, 2, 16–17, y 22–23)
The response is: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his loving kindness endures forever. Let Israel say, "His loving kindness endures forever."
The right hand of the Lord is lifted high, the right hand of the Lord strikes mightily! I shall not die, but live to proclaim what the Lord has done.
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and we marvel at it.
The responsorial psalm above has been taken from the Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible.
DeleteThe homily follows the Gospel.
DeleteThe bishop's homily lasted for 18'55"19.
DeleteAfter the Gospel, the Liturgy of the Sacrament of Initiation commences. The choir supports by singing the litany.
ReplyDeleteChoir: Lord, have mercy.
DeleteCongregation: Lord, have mercy.
Choir: Christ, have mercy.
Congregation: Christ, have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Congregation: Lord, have mercy.
Choir: Holy Mary, Mother of God…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Michael…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Holy Angels of God…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint John the Baptist…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Joseph…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Peter and Saint Paul…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Andrew…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint John…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Mary Magdalene…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Stephen…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Ignatius of Antioch…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Lawrence…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Agnes…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Gregory…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Augustine…
DeleteCongregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Athanasius…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Basil…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Martin…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Benedict…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Francis and Saint Dominic…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Francis Xavier…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint John Vianney…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Catherine of Siena…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Saint Teresa of Jesus…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: All holy men and women, Saints of God…
Congregation: Pray for us.
Choir: Lord be merciful…
Congregation: Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Choir: From all evil…
Congregation: Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Choir: From every sin…
Congregation: Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Choir: From everlasting death…
Congregation: Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Choir: By your incarnation…
Congregation: Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Choir: By your death and resurrection…
Congregation: Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Choir: By the outpouring of the Holy Spirit…
Congregation: Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Choir: Be merciful to us sinners…
Congregation: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Choir: Bring these chosen ones to new birth through the grace of baptism…
DeleteCongregation: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Choir: Jesus, Son of the living God…
Congregation: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Choir: Christ, hear us.
Congregation: Christ, hear us.
Choir: Christ, graciously hear us.
Congregation: Christ, graciously hear us.
The Apostle's Creed is omitted. This can be reflected during the profession of faith.
DeleteNow after the litany, the priest blesses the baptismal water stating these prayers with hands extended.
DeleteThis is the prayer for the blessing of baptismal water.
DeleteO God, who by invisible power accomplish a wondrous effect through sacramental signs and how in many ways have prepared water, your creation, to show forth the grace of Baptism; O God, whose Spirit in the first moments of the world's creation hovered over the waters, so that the very substance of water would even then take to itself the power to sanctify; O God, whose by the outpouring of the flood foreshadowed regeneration, so that from the mystery of one and the same element of water would come an end to vice and beginning of virtue; O God, who caused the children of Abraham to pass dry-shod through the Red Sea, so that the chosen people, set free from slavery to Pharaoh, would prefigure the people of the baptized; O God, whose Son, baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan, was anointed with the Holy Spirit, and as he hung upon the Cross, gave forth water from his side along with blood, and after his Resurrection, commanded his disciples: "Go forth, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," look now, we pray, upon the face of your Church and graciously unseal for her the fountain of Baptism. May this water received by the Holy Spirit the grace of your Only Begotten Son, so that human nature, created in your image and washed clean through the sacrament of Baptism from all the squalor of the life of old, may be found worthy to rise to the life of newborn children through water and the Holy Spirit.
If appropriate, the priest may lower the paschal candle into the water either once or three times. Then the priest continues: May the power of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, we pray, come down through your son into the fullness of this font, so that all who have been buried with Christ by Baptism into death may rise again to life like him or to live with him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
DeleteThe congregation should acclaim: Spring of water, bless the Lord. Praise and exult him above all forever. Amen.
DeleteThe congregation stand with their lighted candles and renew their baptismal profession of faith. Then the priest speaks to the people in these or similar words.
DeleteDear brethren (brothers and sisters), through the paschal mystery we have been buried with Christ in baptism, so that we may walk with him in newness of life. And so, now that our lenten observance is concluded, let us renew the promises of Holy Baptism by which we once renounced/rejected Satan and his works and promised to serve God in the holy Catholic Church. And so I ask you:
Priest: Do you renounce/reject Satan?
Congregation: I do.
Priest: And all his works?
Congregation: I do.
Priest: And all his empty show/promises?
Congregation: I do.
After this, without delay or pause, the priest continues with the profession of faith.
Priest: Do you believe in the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
Congregation: I do.
Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born/conceived of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
Congregation: I do.
Priest: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
Congregation: I do.
Finally the priest concludes: And may almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins, keep us by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord, for eternal life. Amen.
The priest sprinkles holy water on the congregation as an act for renewing their faith and their baptismal promise.
DeleteAfter the Liturgy of the Sacrament of Initiation, the priest performs the preparation of bread and wine the common way. The collections start.
ReplyDeleteThis is the prayer over the offerings.
DeleteAccept, we ask, O Lord, the prayers of your people with the sacrificial offerings, that what has begun in the paschal mysteries may, by the working of your power, bring us to the healing of eternity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
This is the preface.
DeleteIt is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, at all times to acclaim you, O Lord, but (on this night/on this day/in this time) above all to laud you yet more gloriously, when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. For he is the true Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world; by dying he has destroyed our death, and by his rising, he restored our life. Therefore, overcome with paschal joy, every land, every people exults in your praise and even the heavenly powers, with the angelic hosts, sing together the unending hymn of your glory, as they acclaim…
This is the prayer after communion.
DeletePour out on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, and in your kindness make those you have nourished by this paschal Sacrament one in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
This is the solemn blessing.
DeleteBow your heads and pray for God's blessing.
May almighty God bless you through today's Easter Solemnity and in his compassion, defend you from every assault of sin. Amen.
And may he, who restores you to eternal life in the resurrect of his only begotten, endow you with the prize of immortality. Amen.
Now that the days of the Lord's Passion have drawn to a close, may you who celebrate the gladness of the Paschal Feast come with Christ's help, and exulting in spirit, to those feasts that are celebrate in eternal joy. Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, † and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you forever. Amen.
The Mass has ended, and you are sent. Therefore, go in peace to love and serve the Lord, alleluia, alleluia. Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.