Reading 1: GN 1:1-2:2 or GN 1:1, 26-31A
The first reading from the Book of Genesis.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.
God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.
God called the light “day”, and the darkness he called “night”. There was evening and there was morning, the first day.
God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”
God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.
God called the expanse “sky”. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.
God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear;” and it was so.
God called the dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas”. God saw that it was good.
God said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their seeds in it, on the earth;” and it was so.
The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.
There was evening and there was morning, a third day.
God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years; and let them be for lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth;” and it was so.
God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.
God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light to the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.
There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
God said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.”
God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.
God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.
God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind;” and it was so.
God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good.
God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food.
To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;” and it was so.
God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
The heavens, the earth, and all their vast array were finished.
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.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 104:1-2, 5-6, 10 and 12, 13-14, 24 and 35 or PS 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20 and 22
Response: You send out your Spirit and they are created. You renew the face of the ground.
Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.
He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
R: You send out your Spirit and they are created. You renew the face of the ground.
He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever.
You covered it with the deep as with a cloak. The waters stood above the mountains.
R: You send out your Spirit and they are created. You renew the face of the ground.
He sends springs into the valleys. They run among the mountains.
The birds of the sky nest by them. They sing among the branches.
R: You send out your Spirit and they are created. You renew the face of the ground.
He waters the mountains from his rooms. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works.
He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may produce food out of the earth.
R: You send out your Spirit and they are created. You renew the face of the ground.
Yahweh, how many are your works! In wisdom, you have made them all. The earth is full of your riches.
Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. Let the wicked be no more. Bless Yahweh, my soul. Praise Yah!
R: You send out your Spirit and they are created. You renew the face of the ground.
or
R: The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.
For Yahweh’s word is right. All his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.
R: The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.
By Yahweh’s word, the heavens were made: all their army by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap. He lays up the deeps in storehouses.
R: The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.
Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.
Yahweh looks from heaven. He sees all the sons of men.
R: The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.
Our soul has waited for Yahweh. He is our help and our shield.
Let your loving kindness be on us, Yahweh, since we have hoped in you.
R: The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.
Reading 2: GN 22:1-18 or GN 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18
The second reading from the Book of Genesis.
After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.”
He said, “Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.”
Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey; and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which God had told him.
On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off.
Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come back to you.”
Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together.
Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Here is 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 both went together.
They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood.
Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to kill his son.
Yahweh’s angel called to him out of the sky, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.”
He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
Abraham called the name of that place “Yahweh Will Provide”. As it is said to this day, “On Yahweh’s mountain, it will be provided.”
Yahweh’s angel called to Abraham a second time out of the sky, and said, “‘I have sworn by myself,’ says Yahweh, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies.
All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because you have obeyed my voice.’_”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 16:5 and 8, 9-10, 11
R: Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.
I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
R: Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety.
For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
R: Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
R: Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
Reading 3: EX 14:15-15:1
The third reading from the Book of Exodus.
Yahweh said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward.
Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. Then the children of Israel shall go into the middle of the sea on dry ground.
Behold, I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in after them. I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.
The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh when I have gotten myself honor over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.”
The angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them.
It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. There was the cloud and the darkness, yet it gave light by night. One didn’t come near the other all night.
Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yahweh caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
The children of Israel went into the middle of the sea on the dry ground; and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the middle of the sea: all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
In the morning watch, Yahweh looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army.
He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from the face of Israel, for Yahweh fights for them against the Egyptians!”
Yahweh said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.”
Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it. Yahweh overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea.
The waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all Pharaoh’s army that went in after them into the sea. There remained not so much as one of them.
But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
Thus Yahweh saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.
Israel saw the great work which Yahweh did to the Egyptians, and the people feared Yahweh; and they believed in Yahweh and in his servant Moses.
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.”
Responsorial Psalm: EX 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18
R: “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously.”
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
R: “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously.”
“Yahweh is a man of war. Yahweh is his name.
He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea. His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.”
R: “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously.”
“The deeps cover them. They went down into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces.”
R: “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously.”
“You will bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, the place, Yahweh, which you have made for yourself to dwell in: the sanctuary, Lord, which your hands have established.
Yahweh will reign forever and ever.”
R: “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously.”
Reading 4: IS 54:5-14
The fourth reading from the Book of Isaiah.
“For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the God of the whole earth.
For Yahweh has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off,” says your God.
“For a small moment I have forsaken you, but I will gather you with great mercies.
In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says Yahweh your Redeemer.
“For this is like the waters of Noah to me for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.
For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed, but my loving kindness will not depart from you, and my covenant of peace will not be removed,” says Yahweh who has mercy on you.
“You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.
All your children will be taught by Yahweh, and your children’s peace will be great.
You will be established in righteousness. You will be far from oppression, for you will not be afraid, and far from terror, for it shall not come near you.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 30:1 and 3, 4-5, 10-12
R: I will extol you, Yahweh, for you have raised me up.
I will extol you, Yahweh, for you have raised me up, and have not made my foes to rejoice over me.
Yahweh, you have brought up my soul from Sheol. You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
R: I will extol you, Yahweh, for you have raised me up.
Sing praise to Yahweh, you saints of his. Give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
R: I will extol you, Yahweh, for you have raised me up.
“Hear, Yahweh, and have mercy on me. Yahweh, be my helper.”
You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my heart may sing praise to you, and not be silent. Yahweh my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
R: I will extol you, Yahweh, for you have raised me up.
Reading 5: IS 55:1-11
The fifth reading from the Book of Isaiah.
“Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in richness.
Turn your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul will live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.
Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know; and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you, because of Yahweh your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified you.”
Seek Yahweh while he may be found. Call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says Yahweh.
“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 comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn’t return there, but waters the earth, and makes it grow and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.”
Responsorial Psalm: IS 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R: Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
“Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.”
Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
R: Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say, “Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Declare his doings among the peoples! Proclaim that his name is exalted!”
R: Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
“Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”
R: Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Reading 6: BAR 3:9-15, 32-4:4
The sixth reading from the Book of Baruch.
Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life! Give ear to understand wisdom!
How is it, O Israel, that you are in your enemies’ land, that you have become old in a strange country, that you are defiled with the dead, that you are counted with those who are in Hades?
You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom.
If you had walked in the way of God, you would have dwelled in peace forever.
Learn where there is wisdom, where there is strength, and where there is understanding, that you may also know where there is length of days and life, where there is the light of the eyes and peace.
Who has found out her place? Who has come into her treasuries?
But he that knows all things knows her, he found her out with his understanding. He who prepared the earth for all time has filled it with four-footed beasts.
It is he who sends forth the light, and it goes. He called it, and it obeyed him with fear.
The stars shone in their watches, and were glad. When he called them, they said, “Here we are.” They shone with gladness to him who made them.
This is our God. No other can be compared to him.
He has found out all the way of knowledge, and has given it to Jacob his servant and to Israel who is loved by him.
Afterward she appeared upon earth, and lived with men.
This is the book of God’s commandments and the law that endures forever. All those who hold it fast will live, but those who leave it will die.
Turn, O Jacob, and take hold of it. Walk toward the shining of its light.
Don’t give your glory to another, nor the things that are to your advantage to a foreign nation.
O Israel, we are happy; for the things that are pleasing to God are made known to us.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 19:7, 8, 9, 10
R: “You have the words of eternal life.”
Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.
R: “You have the words of eternal life.”
Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
R: “You have the words of eternal life.”
The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
R: “You have the words of eternal life.”
They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
R: “You have the words of eternal life.”
Reading 7: EZ 36:16-17A, 18-28
The seventh reading from the Book of Ezekiel.
Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, “Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and by their deeds.”
“Therefore I poured out my wrath on them for the blood which they had poured out on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols.
I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries. I judged them according to their way and according to their deeds.
When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name, in that men said of them, ‘These are Yahweh’s people, and have left his land.’
But I had respect for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.”
“Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “I don’t do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.
I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh,” says the Lord Yahweh, “when I am proven holy in you before their eyes.”_’
“For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land.
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them.
You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be my people, and I will be your God.”_”
Responsorial Psalm (When Baptism is Celebrated): PS 42:2, 4; 43:3, 4
R: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
R: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.
These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to God’s house, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day.
R: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.
Oh, send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill, to your tents.
R: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy. I will praise you on the harp, God, my God.
R: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.
Responsorial Psalm (When Baptism is Not Celebrated): IS 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6 or PS 51:10-11, 12-13, 16-17
R: Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
“Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.”
Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
R: Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
“Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Declare his doings among the peoples! Proclaim that his name is exalted!”
R: Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
“Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”
R: Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
or
R: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
R: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners will be converted to you.
R: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.
R: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Epistle: ROM 6:3-11
The epistle from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin.
For he who has died has been freed from sin.
But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over him!
For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God.
Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
R: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.
R: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
“The right hand of Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!”
I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works.
R: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.
R: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel of the Day: MT 28:1-10
From the gospel verse according to Matthew.
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone from the door and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.
He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.
Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”
They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”
