Easter: the climax of the story of salvation

The readings for the Easter Vigil Mass are beautiful. Together, they provide us with a glorious panorama of the history of salvation.

1st Reading: Gen 1:1-2:2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Almighty and eternal God,
you created all things in wonderful beauty and order.
Help us now to perceive
how still more wonderful is the new creation
by which in the fullness of time
you redeemed your people
through the sacrifice of our passover, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

2nd Reading: Gen 22:1-18

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 son, from me."
"By myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only 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 by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice."

God and Father of all who believe in you,
you promised Abraham that he would become the father of all nations,
and through the death and resurrection of Christ
you fulfill that promise:
everywhere throughout the world you increase your chosen people.
May we respond to your call
by joyfully accepting your invitation to the new life of grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3rd Reading: Exodus 14:15 - 15:1

...the people 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.

Father,
even today we see the wonders
of the miracles you worked long ago.
You once saved a single nation from slavery,
and now you offer that salvation to all through baptism.
May the peoples of the world become true sons of Abraham
and prove worthy of the heritage of Israel.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

4th Reading: Isaiah 54:5-14

For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you.

Almighty and eternal God,
glorify your name by increasing you chosen people
as you promised long ago.
In reward for their trust,
may we seek in the Church the fulfillment of your promise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

5th Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11

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.

Almighty, ever-living God,
only hope of the world,
by the preaching of the prophets
you proclaimed the mysteries we are celebrating tonight.
Help us to be your faithful people,
for it is by your inspiration alone
that we can grow in goodness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

6th Reading: Baruch 3:9-15, 32 - 4:4

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.

Father,
you increase your Church
by continuing to call all people to salvation.
Listen to our prayers
and always watch over those you cleanse in baptism.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

7th Reading: Ezekiel 36:16-28

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 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....You shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

God of unchanging power and light,
look with mercy and favor on your entire Church.
Bring lasting salvation to mankind,
so that the world may see
the fallen lifted up,
the old made new,
and all things brought to perfection,
through him who is their origin,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Here, the Gloria is sung, joyfully, with the ringing of the church bells

Lord God,
you have brightened this night
with the radiance of the risen Christ.
Quicken the spirit of sonship in your Church;
renew us in mind and body
to give you whole-hearted service.
Grant this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Epistle: Romans 6: 3-11

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.

Gospel: Mark 16: 1-7

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."