THE VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT OF EASTER
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
1st Reading: Gen 1:1—2:2 (or Gen 1:1, 26-31a)
Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35 or Ps 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20-22
2nd Reading: Gen 22:1-18 (or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18)
Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
3rd Reading: Ex 14:15—15:1
Ex 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18
4th Reading: Is 54:5-14
Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
5th Reading: Is 55:1-11
Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
6th Reading: Bar 3:9-15, 32—4:4
Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
7th Reading: Ezk 36:16-17a, 18-28
Ps 42:3, 5; 43 3, 4
8th Reading: Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
Epistle: Rom 6:3-11
Gospel: Mt 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on 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. When they saw the angel, the guards were struck with terror.
The angel said 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 before you to Galilee. You will see him there. This is my message for you.”
In fear, yet with great joy, the women left the tomb and ran to tell the news to his disciples.
Suddenly, Jesus met them on the way and said, “Rejoice!” The women approached him, embraced his feet and worshiped him. But Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid! Go and tell my brothers to set out for Galilee; there, they will see me.”
REFLECTION:
At dawn during the first day of the week, two women cautiously made their way towards the tomb of Jesus. Their previous night must have been spent in anxious preparations for what they have to do that day. Fear, deep sadness for the loss of their Master and worry that His body will not know the proper Jewish burial mingled with their tired bodies. Only their deep love for their Master kept them going. How many of us are capable of such loving concern even if the beloved is already gone from us? These women who hardly figured in the narrative of Jesus’ life exhibited extraordinary valor that only a loving heart could do. And so, they come fearful and trembling to pay homage to their Master’s dead body for the last time. They left still fearful and trembling at the impact of what they saw that blessed Sunday when the empty tomb was not a symbol of their empty future ahead, but of a life transformed that they can only dream of.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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