FIRST READING
“I give you what I have, in the name of Jesus, rise and walk. ”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 3: 1-10

In those days: Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognised him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 105:1-2.3-4.6-7.8-9 (R. 3b)
R/.  Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.
Or: Alleluia.

Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name.
Make known his deeds among the peoples.
O sing to him, sing his praise;
tell all his wonderful works! R.

Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.
Turn to the Lord and his strength;
constantly seek his face. R.

R/.  Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.
Or: Alleluia.

O children of Abraham, his servant,
O descendants of the Jacob he chose,
he, the Lord, is our God;
his judgements are in all the earth. R.

He remembers his covenant forever:
the promise he ordained for a thousand generations,
the covenant  he made  with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.   R.

ALLELUIA   Psalm 115:24
Alleluia. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. Alleluia

GOSPEL
They recognised him in the breaking of the bread.                           
* A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 24:13-35)

That very day, [the first day of the week,] two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty  in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the Eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
The pilgrims of Emmaus had trusted in Jesus as a prophet, and hoped that he would be their victorious leader. They hoped for a military triumph of their nation, of the just who were oppressed, and for a new order of earthly freedom. Therefore the tragedy of the cross frightened them. Jesus cannot be found in the tomb either. Some women reported him alive, but the men who went to the tomb found nothing. But we meet Christ in the word of God and the breaking of Bread, as the pilgrims of Emmaus did. They had “lost” him were leaving the group of the disciples. Jesus meets them, and they return to the community of disciples. That is where they belong.

FIRST READING
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2: 14.22-33)

[On the day of Pentecost,] Peter, standing with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know — this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand   of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  Psalm  16: 1-2a and 5.7-8.9-10.11 (R. 1)
R/. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Or: Alleluia.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord.”
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
you yourself who secure my lot. R.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord before me always;
with him at my right hand, I shall not be moved. R.

R/. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Or: Alleluia.

And so, my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my flesh shall rest in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to hell,
nor let your holy one see corruption. R.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand, bliss forever. R.

ALLELUIA Psalm 118:24
Alleluia. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. Alleluia.

GOSPEL               
“Tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 28:8-15)

At that time: The women departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep and if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
The resurrection of Christ is a sign of contradiction; it produces joy in its witnesses, but in those who are hard of heart, falsehood. Peter’s message, full of joy and exultation, is addressed to all people. All of us are called to listen to and make our own his words: “God raised this Jesus to life; we are all witnesses to that.” This witnessing springs from an experience of the Risen Lord who meets and greets us on the way. The death of Christ is in fact birth; it is liberation and recovery of all that is human which, passing through death, arrives at the fullness of perennial vitality. In the resurrection humanity is saved in a unique and definitive way. Whatever is human has been received and renewed by the living God through Christ. This inexhaustible mystery is revealed to those who are sincere and free from falsehood.

FIRST READING
“We ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:34a.37-43)

In those days: Peter opened his mouth and said, “You know the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  Psalm 118: I-2.15c- 17.22-23 (R. 24)
R/. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Or:  Alleluia.

Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say, 
“His mercy endures forever.” R/.

“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds;
his right hand is exalted.
The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds.”
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount the deeds of the Lord. R/.

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done,
a marvel in our eyes. R/.

SECOND READING          
“Seek the things that are above, where Christ is.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 3:1-4)

Brethren: If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The word of the Lord.

Or the following:

SECOND READING          
“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be new dough.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:6b-8)

Do you not know that a little leaven leavens all the dough? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be new dough, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

The word of the Lord.

Sequence (prose text)

To the Paschal Victim let Christians offer a sacrifice of praise.
The Lamb redeemed the sheep.
Christ, sinless, reconciled sinners to the Father.
Death and life were locked together in a unique struggle.
Life’s captain died; now he reigns, never more to die.
Tell us, Mary, “What did you see on the way?” “I saw the tomb of the now living Christ.
I saw the glory of Christ, now risen. “I saw angels who gave witness;
the cloths too which once had covered head and limbs. “Christ my hope has arisen.
He will go before his own into Galilee.”
We know that Christ has indeed risen from the dead. Do you, conqueror and king, have mercy on us.

Amen. Alleluia.

Or the following:
Sequence (poetic text)

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems: Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;
Bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen:
To Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!

Amen. Alleluia.
 

ALLELUIA 1 Corinthians 5:7b.8a
Alleluia. Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed; let us, therefore, celebrate the festival in the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL     
“He must rise from the dead.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 20:1-9)

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went towards the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

The Gospel of the Lord.

OR

GOSPEL               
“He has risen and he is going before you to Galilee.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 28:1-10)

After the sabbath, towards the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Behold, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Today’s Reflection
On being alerted by Mary Magdalene, Peter and John run to the Lord’s tomb to see if the body had been stolen by someone-a hypothesis that was ruled out by what they saw there. They re-read the event in a new way, in the light of Scripture.

The liturgical assembly on Easter day exults in realizing all the hopes of the messianic people of God-the hope of liberation, of entering into the Promised Land, of restoration of justice, of new earth and new heavens. The faithful of Christ have entered into this new reality and live and move in its light. The real newness is Christ who came into the world lived with humans, died and rose again and is ever present.

It is in him that the interior human being is renewed every day (2cor 4:6). The exterior man, the old reality, needs to be broken to open up the way for the birth of the new human reality, the fruit of redemption in Christ. “To put on Christ” is one of the many expressions coined by St Paul to present this mysterious reality of grace. To put on Christ means to enter into him and to live in him so that our life becomes hidden in him and with him in God. Thus, “anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. The Christian is dead to sin and risen with Christ to new life.

FIRST READING   
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 1:1-2:2)  
“God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God said, “let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. And God said, “let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” And God made the firmament and separated the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. And God said, “let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And God said, “let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the firmament of the heavens.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the cattle according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.* And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done.

The word of the Lord.*

Shorter form: Genesis 1:1.26-31a. Read between *.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 104:1-2a.5-6.10 and12.13- 14.24 and 35c (R. cf. 30)
R/. Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, how great you are,
clothed in majesty and honour,
wrapped in light as with a robe! R.

You set the earth on its foundation,
immovable from age to age.
You wrapped it with the depths like a cloak;
the waters stood higher than the mountains. R.

R/. Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow in between the hills.
There the birds of heaven build their nests;
from the branches they sing their song. R.

From your dwelling you water the hills;
by your works the earth has its fill.
You make the grass grow for the cattle
and plants to serve mankind’s need.
That he may bring forth bread from the earth. R.

How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. R.

Or the following:

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 33 :4-5.6-7.12-13.20 and 22 (R. 5b)
R/. His merciful love fills the earth.

The word of the Lord is faithful,
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right,
and his merciful love fills the earth. R.

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
As in a flask, he collects the waves of the ocean;
he stores up the depths of the sea. R.

R/. His merciful love fills the earth.

Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he has chosen as his heritage,
From the heavens the Lord looks forth;
he sees all the children of men. R.

Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
May your merciful love be upon us,
as we hope in you, O Lord. R.

Priest: Let us pray.
Almighty ever-living God, who are wonderful in the ordering of all your works, may those you have redeemed understand that there exists nothing more marvellous than the world’s creation in the beginning except that, at the end of the ages, Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R/. Amen.

Or, On the creation of man:

O God, who wonderfully created human nature and still more wonderfully redeemed it, grant us, we pray, to set our minds against the enticements of sin, that we may merit to attain eternal joys. Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

SECOND READING                                             
”The sacrifice of Abraham our father in faith.”
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Gen 22:1-18)

* In those days: God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Take your son, your only-begotten son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”* Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; and he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here am I, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only-begotten son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.*

So Abraham called the name of that place the Lord will provide; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only-begotten son, I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore. And your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.”

The word of the Lord. *

Shorter form: Genesis 22:1-2.9a.10-13.15- 18. Read between *

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  Psalm 16:5 and 8.9-10.11 (R. 1)
R/. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
you yourself who secure my lot.
I keep the Lord before me always;
with him at my right hand, I shall not be moved. R.

And so, my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my flesh shall rest in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to hell,
nor let your holy one see corruption. R.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand, bliss forever. R.

Priest: Let us pray.
O God, supreme Father of the faithful, who increase the children of your promise by pouring out the grace of adoption throughout the whole world and who through the paschal mystery make your servant Abraham father of nations, as once you swore, grant, we pray, that your peoples may enter worthily into the grace to which you call them. Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

THIRD READING              
“The sons of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea.”
A reading from the Book of Exodus (Exodus 14:15-15:1)

In those days: The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the sons of Israel may go on dry ground through the sea. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” Then the angel of God who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness; and the night passed without one coming near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the sons of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down upon the host of the Egyptians, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel; for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” So Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its usual flow when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled into it, and the Lord routed the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not so much as one of them remained. But the sons of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore. And Israel saw the great work which the Lord did against the Egyptians, and the people feared the Lord; and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

The word of the Lord

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Exodus 15: 1b-2.3-4.5-6. 17- 18 (R. 1b)
R/. I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.

I will sing to the Lord,
for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him. R/.

The LORD is a man of war; the Lord is his name.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea;
and his picked officers are sunk in the Red Sea. R.

R/. I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.

The floods cover them;
they went down into the depths like a stone
Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,
your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. R.

You will bring your people in,
and plant them on your own mountain,
the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.
The Lord will reign for ever and ever. R.

Priest:  Let us pray.

O God, whose ancient wonders remain undimmed in splendour even in our day, for what you once bestowed on a single people, freeing them from Pharaoh’s persecution by the power of your right hand, now you bring about as the salvation of the nations through the waters of rebirth, grant, we pray, that the whole world may become children of Abraham and inherit the dignity of Israel’s birthright. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Or:

O God, who by the light of the New Testament have unlocked the meaning of wonders worked in former times, so that the Red Sea prefigures the sacred font and the nation delivered from slavery foreshadows the Christian people, grant, we pray, that all nations, obtaining the privilege of Israel by merit of faith, may be reborn by partaking of your Spirit. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

FOURTH READING                                         
“With everlasting mercy I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your redeemer.”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 54:5- 14)

Your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting mercy I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. “For this is like the days of Noah to me: I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my mercy shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. All your sons shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the prosperity of your sons. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM    Ps 30:2 and 4.5-6.11-12a and 13b (R.  2a)
R/. I will extol you, O Lord, for you have raised me up.

I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up,
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, you have lifted up my soul from the grave,
restored me to life from those who sink into the pit. R.

Sing psalms to the Lord, you faithful ones;
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life.
At night there are tears, but at dawn comes joy. R.

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
be my helper, O Lord.
You have changed my mourning into dancing.
O Lord my God, I will thank you forever. R.

Priest: Let us pray.

Almighty ever living God, surpass, for the honour of your name, what you pledged to the Patriarchs by reason of their faith, and through sacred adoption increase the children of your promise, so that what the Saints of old never doubted would come to pass your Church may now see in great part fulfilled. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

FIFTH READING
“Come to me that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant.”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 55:1-11)

Thus says the Lord: “Ho, every  one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, merciful love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call nations that you know not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I intend, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Isaiah 12:2-3.4bcde.5-6 (R. 3)
R/. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. R.

“Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the nations,
proclaim that his name is exalted.” R.

“Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” R.

Priest: Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God, sole hope of the world, who by the preaching of your Prophets unveiled the mysteries of this present age, graciously increase the longing of your people, for only at the prompting of your grace do the faithful progress in any kind of virtue. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

SIXTH READING
“Walk towards the shining light of the Lord.”
A reading from the Book of Baruch (Baruch 3:9-15.32-4:4)

Hear the commandments of life, O Israel; give ear, and learn wisdom! Why is it, O Israel, why is it that you are in the land of your enemies, that you are growing old in a foreign country, that you are defiled with the dead, that you are counted among those in Hades? You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom. If you had walked in the way of God, you would be dwelling in peace for ever. Learn where there is wisdom, where there is strength, where there is understanding, that you may at the same time discern where there is length of days, and life, where there is light for the eyes, and peace. Who has found her place? And who has entered her storehouses? But he who knows all things knows her, he found her by his understanding. He who prepared the earth for all time filled it with four-footed creatures; he who sends forth the light, and it goes, called it, and it obeyed him in fear; the stars shone in their watches, and were glad; he called them, and they said, “Here we are!” They shone with gladness for him who made them. This is our God; no other can be compared to him! He found the whole way to knowledge, and gave her to Jacob his servant and to Israel whom he loved. Afterwards she appeared upon earth and lived among men. She is the book of the commandments of God, and the law that endures for ever. All who hold her fast will live, and those who forsake her will die. Turn, O Jacob, and take her; walk towards the shining of her light. Do not give your glory to another, or your advantages to an alien people. Happy are we, O Israel, for we know what is pleasing to God.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL  PSALM Psalm 19:8.9. I 0.11 (R. John 5:68c)
R/. Lord, you have the words of eternal life.

The law of the Lord is perfect;
It revives the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are steadfast;
They give wisdom to the simple. R.

The precepts of the Lord are right;
They gladden the heart.
The command of the Lord is clear;
it gives light to the eyes. R.

The fear of the Lord is pure,
Abiding forever.
The judgements of the Lord are true;
They are, all of them, just. R.

They are more to be desired than gold,
than quantities of gold.
And sweeter are they than honey,
Than honey flowing from the comb. R.

Priest: Let us pray.

O God, who constantly increase your Church by your call to the nations, grant graciously to those you wash clean in the waters of Baptism, the assurance of your unfailing protection. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

SEVENTH READING       
“I shall sprinkle clean water upon you, a new heart I will give you.”
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36: 16-17a.18-25)

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their doings. So I poured out my wrath upon them for the blood which they had shed in the land, for the idols with which they had defiled it. I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries; in accordance with their conduct and their deeds I judged them. But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that men said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they had to go out of his land.’ But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel caused to be profaned among the nations to which they came. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations will know that I am the Lord, says the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. For I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart   of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. You shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  Psalm 42:3.5bcd; 43 :3.4 (R. 42:2)
R/. Like the deer that yearns for running streams,
so my soul is yearning for you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for God the living God;
when can I enter and appear before the face of God? R.

For I would go to the place of your wondrous tent,
all the way to the house of God,
amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving,
the throng keeping joyful festival. R.

O send forth your light and your truth;
They will guide me on.
They will bring me to your holy mountain,
To the place where you dwell. R.

And I will come to the altar of God,
To God, my joy and gladness.
To you will I give thanks on the harp,
O God, my God. R

Or: when Baptism is celebrated, the Responsorial Psalm after the Fifth Reading (Isaiah 12), as above, may be used; or the Responsorial Psalm following:
 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  Ps 51: 12-13. 14-15.18-19 (R. 12a)
R/. Create a pure heart for me, O God.

Create a pure heart for me,
O God; renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence;
take not your holy spirit from me. R.

Restore in me the joy of your salvation;
sustain in me a willing spirit.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
that sinners may return to you. R.

For in sacrifice you take no delight;
burnt offering from me would not please you.
My sacrifice to God, a broken spirit:
a broken and humbled heart,
O God, you will not spurn. R.

Priest: Let us pray.

O God of unchanging power and eternal light, look with favour on the wondrous mystery of the whole Church, and serenely accomplish the work of human salvation, which you planned from all eternity; may the whole world know and see that what was cast down is raised up, what had become old is made new, and all things are restored to integrity through Christ, just as by him they came into being. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

OR

O God, who by the pages of both Testaments instruct and prepare us to celebrate the paschal mystery, grant that we may comprehend your mercy, so that the gifts we receive from you this night may confirm our hope of the gifts to come. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen

After the last reading from the Old Testament with its Responsorial Psalm and its prayer, the altar candles are lit, and the Priest intones the hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the highest), which is taken up by all, while bells are rung, according to local custom. When the hymn is concluded, the Priest says the Collect in the usual way.

Let us pray.

O God, who make this most sacred night radiant with the glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, stir up in your Church a spirit of adoption, so that, renewed in body and mind, we may render you undivided service. Through our Lord . . .

R. Amen.

EPISTLE            
Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 6:3-11)

Brethren: All of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death. We were buried therefore with    him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our former man was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

The word of the Lord

After the Epistle has been read, all rise, then the Priest solemnly intones the Alleluia three times, raising his voice by a step each time, with all repeating it. If necessary, the psalmist intones the Alleluia. Then the psalmist or cantor proclaims Psalm 118 with the people responding Alleluia.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 118: 1-2.15c- 17.22-23
R/. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.” R.

“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds;
His right hand is exalted.
The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds.”
I shall not die, I shall live
And recount the deeds of the Lord. R.

The stone that the builders rejected
Has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done,
A marvel in our eyes. R.

GOSPEL              
“He has risen and he is going before you to Galilee.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 16:1-7)

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Today’s Reflection
The enemies of Jesus put him to death unjustly. They thought they had seen the end of him. He would no longer cause them sleepless nights. They were wrong. On the third day, he came charging from the grave, alive. He had risen! His body was not in the grave. This time around, he would never die again. Death had no power any more over him. He would live forever. He had gained definitive victory over death. But the victory was not his alone. It was also that of his follows. Just as he died and rose from death, and because of that, they too would rise from death, never more to die. His resurrection was the pledge of their own resurrection. “Dying he destroyed our death, rising he restored our life.” Alleluia!