This is the night of nights, in which we celebrate the mightiest deeds of God in creation and salvation — for the sake not only of God’s people but also of all humankind. No praise tonight can be superfluous. From the original beauty and blessedness of creation to the radiance and insuperable joy of the Good News of Christ’s resurrection, through God’s manifold and wondrous promises and covenants, let us give our all tonight and sing “Alleluia!” with all restraint banished.
This is the night! The night in which life triumphs over death, light over darkness, boundless joy over deep sorrow, infinite hope over devastating hopelessness. Christ was raised from the dead, and his resurrection calls for our own resurrection.
Yet the disciples had to encounter the Risen Jesus in order to move beyond the scandal of his death and the questions posed by the empty tomb. In our times in which darkness, death, and despair seem so powerful, we, too, need to personally experience the presence of the Risen Jesus in order to grow into the joy of Easter. What we need most is to stay anchored in the joy of Easter and to speak new words to proclaim the resurrection of Christ. May the joy and peace granted by the Risen Lord bring life-giving light into our lives.
— Jean-Pierre Prévost
Genesis 1:1—2:2 or Genesis 1:1, 26–31A
Psalm 104:1–2, 5–6, 10, 12, 13–14, 24, 35 or Psalm 33:4–5, 6–7, 12–13, 20 and 22
Genesis 22:1–18 or Genesis 22:1–2, 9A, 10–13, 15–18
Psalm 16: 5, 8, 9–10, 11
Exodus 14:15—15:1
Exodus 15:1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 17–18 (Response)
Isaiah 54:5–14
Psalm 30:2, 4, 5–6, 11–12, 13
Isaiah 55:1–11
Isaiah 12:2–3, 4, 5–6 (Response)
Baruch 3:9–15, 32C4:4
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Ezekiel 36:16–17A, 18–28
Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4 (when Baptism is celebrated); or Isaiah 12:2–3, 4BCD, 5–6 (when Baptism is not celebrated); or Psalm 51:12–13, 14–15, 18–19 (when Baptism is not celebrated)
Romans 6:3–11
Luke 24:1–12