Read and listen to the Holy Mass on Easter night 2023
Summary
First Reading
God he saw what he had done, and behold, it was very good.
From the book of Genesis Gen 1,1-2,2
In the beginning God he created heaven and earth. The earth was formless and deserted and darkness covered the abyss and the spirit of God hovered over the waters.God he said, "Let there be light!" And there was light. God he saw that the light was good and God separated the light from the darkness. God he called the light day, while he called the darkness night. And it was evening and it was morning: the first day.
God He said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, to separate the waters from the waters." God he made the firmament and separated the waters which are under the firmament from the waters which are above the firmament. And so it happened. God he called the firmament sky. And it was evening and it was morning: second day.
God He said, "Let the waters under heaven gather in one place and let dry land appear." And so it happened. God he called the dry land earth, while he called the mass of waters sea. God he saw that it was good. God He said: "May the earth produce shoots, herbs that produce seed and fruit trees, which bear fruit on the earth with the seed, each according to its kind".
And so it happened. And the earth brought forth shoots, herbs bearing seed, each after its kind, and trees each bearing fruit with seed, according to its kind. God he saw that it was good. And it was evening and it was morning: third day.
God he said: “Let there be sources of light in the firmament of heaven, to separate the day from the night; may they be signs for the holidays, for the days and for the years and may they be sources of light in the firmament of heaven to illuminate the earth". And so it happened. AND God he made the two great light sources: the greater light source to rule the day and the lesser light source to rule the night, and the stars.
God he placed them in the firmament of heaven to illuminate the earth and to govern day and night and to separate light from darkness. God he saw that it was good. And it was evening and it was morning: the fourth day. God he said: "Let the waters teem with living beings and birds fly above the earth, before the firmament of heaven."
God he created the great monsters of the sea and all living things that move and swarm in the waters, according to their kind, and all winged birds, according to their kind. God he saw that it was good. God he blessed them: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas; may birds multiply on the earth." And it was evening and it was morning: the fifth day.
God He said: "The earth produces living beings according to their kind: livestock, reptiles and wild animals, according to their kind". And so it happened. God he made the wild animals according to their kind, the cattle according to their kind, and all creeping things of the ground according to their kind.
God he saw that it was good. God He said: "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness: rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, over all the wild animals and over all the creeping things that crawl on the earth."
IS God he created man in his image; in the image of God created it: male and female he created them.
God blessed them and God he said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it, rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and on every living creature that crawls on the earth."
God he said, "Behold, I give you every herb that bears seed that is in all the earth, and every fruitful tree that bears seed: they shall be your food. To all the wild animals, to all the birds of the sky and to all beings that crawl on the earth and in which is the breath of life, I give every green herb as food."
And so it happened. God he saw what he had done, and behold, it was very good. And it was evening and it was morning: sixth day. Thus were heaven and earth and all their hosts completed. Godon the seventh day he finished his work which he had done, and on the seventh day he ceased from all his work which he had done.
Bless the Lord, my soul! You are so great, my Lord God! You are clothed in majesty and splendor, wrapped in light like a cloak. R.
He founded the earth on its foundations: it will never falter. You covered it with the ocean like a robe; above the mountains were the waters. R.
You send spring waters into the valleys because they flow between the mountains. Above live the birds of the sky and they sing in the fronds. R.
From your homes you water the mountains, and with the fruit of your works the earth is satisfied. You grow grass for the cattle and the plants that man cultivates to get food from the earth. R.
How many are your works, Lord! You have done them all wisely; the earth is full of your creatures. Bless the Lord, my soul. R.
Second Reading Abraham's sacrifice, ours father in faith.
From the book of Genesis Gn 22,1-18 (short letter 22,1-2.9a.10-13.15-18) In those days, God He put Abraham to the test and said to him, "Abraham!" He replied: "Here I am!" He resumed: «Take your son, your only-begotten son whom you love, Isaac, go to the territory of Mòria and offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain that I will show you».
Early in the morning Abraham got up, saddled his donkey, took with him two servants and his son Isaac, chopped wood for a burnt offering, and set out to the place where God had pointed out to him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw that place from a distance. Then Abraham said to his servants, “Stop here with the donkey; the boy and I will go up there, we will bow down and then we will come back to you.'
Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and loaded it on his son Isaac, took in hand the fire and the knife, then they both went on together. Isaac turned to the father Abraham and said: "Father my!". He replied: "Here I am, my son." He resumed: «Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?». Abraham replied: "God the lamb himself will be provided for a burnt offering, my son!" They both went on together.
So they came to the place that God had pointed to him; here Abraham built the altar, placed the wood, bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham stretched out the hand and took the knife to slay his son.
But the angel of the Lord called him from heaven and said to him, "Abraham, Abraham!" He replied: "Here I am!" The angel said: «Do not spread the hand against the boy and do nothing to him! Now I know you fear God and you have not withheld from me your son, your only begotten."
Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Abraham called that place "The Lord sees"; therefore today it is said: "On the mountain the Lord makes himself seen". The angel of the Lord called Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, oracle of the Lord, that because you have done this and have not spared your son, your only begotten, I will shower you with blessings and give much your descendants are numerous, like the stars in the sky and like the sand that is on the seashore; your descendants will take possession of the cities of the enemies.
All the nations of the earth will say blessed in your descendants, because you have obeyed my voice.
The Lord is my inheritance and my cup: in your hands is my life. I always put the Lord before me, stand on my right, I will not be able to falter. R.
For this my heart rejoices and my soul rejoices; even my body rests safe, why won't you abandon my life in hell, nor will you let your faithful one see the pit. R.
You will show me the path of life, full joy in your presence, endless sweetness to your right. R.
Let's pray. OR God, Father of believers, than extending to all men the gift of filial adoption multiply your children throughout the earth, and in the paschal sacrament of Baptism fulfill the promise made to Abraham to make it father of all nations, grant your people to answer worthily to the grace of your call. For Christ our Lord.
Third Reading The Israelites walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.
From the book of Exodus Ex 14:15-15:1
In those days, the Lord said to Moses: "Why are you crying out to me? Order the Israelites to continue their journey. In the meantime, raise your stick, spread out there hand on the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can enter the sea on dry land. Behold, I harden the hearts of the Egyptians, so that they enter after them, and I demonstrate my glory upon Pharaoh and all his army, upon his chariots and upon his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, when he demonstrates my glory against Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.'
The angel of God, which was ahead of the camp of Israel, changed places and passed back. The column of cloud also moved and from the front passed behind. He went and placed himself between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. The cloud was dark for some, while for others it illuminated the night; so they could not get close to each other all night long.
Then Moses stretched out the hand on the sea. And the Lord drove the sea all night with a strong east wind, making it dry; the waters parted. The Israelites entered the sea on dry land, with the waters forming a wall to their right and left. The Egyptians pursued them, and all of Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen rode after them into the sea.
But in the morning watch the Lord, from the pillar of fire and cloud, cast a glance upon the Egyptian camp and routed it. He braked their chariot wheels so they could hardly push them. Then the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against the Egyptians!"
The Lord said to Moses: "Stretch out the hand on the sea: the waters are poured on the Egyptians, on their chariots and their horsemen». Moses stretched out the hand on the sea and the sea, at dawn, returned to its usual level, while the Egyptians, fleeing, headed against it. Thus the Lord swept them into the middle of the sea.
The waters returned and submerged the chariots and horsemen of all Pharaoh's army, which had entered the sea behind Israel: not a single one escaped. Instead the Israelites had walked on dry ground in the middle of the sea, while the waters were a wall to their right and left.
On that day the Lord saved Israel from hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore; Israel saw the hand power with which the Lord had dealt against Egypt, and the people feared the Lord and believed in him and in his servant Moses. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord and said:
Responsorial Psalm From Ex 15, 1-6.17-18
R. Let us sing to the Lord: his victory is stupendous!
"I want to sing to the Lord, because he admirably triumphed: horse and rider he threw into the sea. My strength and my song is the Lord, he was my salvation. It's mine God: I want to praise him, the God of mine father: I want to exalt him! R.
The Lord is a warrior, Lord is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army he threw them into the sea; his chosen fighters were submerged in the Red Sea. R.
The depths covered them, they sank like stone. Your right hand, Lord, is glorious for the power, your right hand, Lord, annihilate the enemy. R.
You let him in and plant him on the mountain of your inheritance, place that for your abode, Lord, have you prepared, sanctuary that your hands, Lord, they founded. The Lord reigns forever and ever!" R.
Let's pray. OR God, even in our day let us see your ancient wonders shine: what you did with yours hand powerful to free one people from Pharaoh's oppression, now you do it through the water of Baptism for the salvation of all peoples; grant that all humanity be welcomed among the children of Abraham and participate in the dignity of the chosen people. For Christ our Lord.
Fourth Reading With everlasting affection the Lord, your Redeemer, has had mercy on you.
From the book of the prophet Isaiah Is 54,5-14
Your husband is your creator, Lord of hosts is his name; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, is called God of all the earth.
Like an abandoned woman and with an afflicted soul, the Lord called you back. Is the woman who was married in her youth repudiated? - says yours God.
For a brief moment I abandoned you, but I will collect you with immense love. In a fit of rage I hid my face from you for a while; but with everlasting affection I took pity on you, says your redeemer, the Lord.
Now it is for me as in the days of Noah, when I swore I'd pour no more the waters of Noah on the earth; so now I swear not to get angry with you anymore and not to threaten you anymore.
Even if the mountains shift and the hills totter, my affection would not leave you, nor would my covenant of peace falter, says the Lord who has mercy on you.
Afflicted, beaten by the whirlwind, disconsolate, behold I place your stones on the stibium and on sapphires I lay your foundation. I will make your battlements of rubies, your doors will be of beryls, all your belt will be of precious stones.
All your children will be disciples of the Lord, great will be the prosperity of your children; you will be founded on justice. Keep away from oppression, for you need not fear, frightened, because he will not come near you.
R. I will exalt you, Lord, because you have lifted me up.
I will exalt you, Lord, because you have lifted me up, you have not allowed my enemies to rejoice over me. Lord, you have raised my life from the underworld, you revived me so that I didn't go down into the pit. R.
Sing hymns to the Lord, his faithful ones, of his holiness celebrate the memory, because his anger lasts an instant, his goodness for life. In the evening guests are weeping and in the morning joy. R.
Hear, Lord, have mercy on me, Lord, come to my aid! You changed my lament into dance; Lord, my GodI will thank you forever. R.
Let's pray. God almighty and eternal, multiply to the glory of your name the offspring promised to the faith of the patriarchs and increase the number of your children, why the Church see the universal plan of salvation fulfilled, in which our fathers had firmly hoped. For Christ our Lord.
Fifth Reading Come to me and you will live; I will establish an everlasting covenant for you.
From the book of the prophet Isaiah Is 55,1-11
Thus says the Lord: "O you all thirsty, come to the water, you who have no money, come; buy and eat; come, buy without money, without paying, wine and milk.
Why do you spend money on what is not bread, your gain for what is not satisfied? Come on, listen to me and you will eat good things and you will taste succulent foods.
incline your ear and come to me, listen and you will live. I will establish an everlasting covenant for you, the favors granted to David.
Behold, I have made him a witness among the peoples, prince and ruler over the nations. Behold, you will call people you did not know; nations that did not know you will come to you because of the Lord, yours God, of the Holy One of Israel, who honors you.
Seek the Lord while he is found, call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked abandon his way and the wicked man his thoughts; return to the Lord who will have mercy on him and to ours God who largely forgives.
Because my thoughts are not your thoughts, your ways are not my ways. Oracle of the Lord.
How much the sky above the earth, so much do my ways surpass your ways, my thoughts dominate your thoughts.
Indeed, as rain and snow come down from the sky and do not return there without watering the land, without having fertilized it and made it germinate, because it gives the seed to those who sow and bread for those who eat, so it will be with my word that comes out of my mouth: it will not return to me without effect, without having done what I wish and without having accomplished what I sent her to do.'
R. We will draw with joy from the sources of salvation.
That is, God it is my salvation; I will trust, I will not be afraid, for my strength and my song is the Lord; he was my salvation. R.
You will draw water with joy to the springs of salvation. Give thanks to the Lord and call on his name, proclaim his deeds among the peoples, remind that his name is sublime. R.
Sing hymns to the Lord, for he has done excellent things, let all the earth know them. Sing and rejoice, you who dwell in Zion, for great among you is the Holy One of Israel. R.
Let's pray. God almighty and eternal, the only hope of the world, than through the announcement of the prophets you revealed the mysteries we celebrate today, revive our thirst for you, because only with the action of your Spirit we can progress in the ways of good. For Christ our Lord.
Sixth Reading Walk in the splendor of the Lord's light.
From the book of the prophet Baruch Bar 3, 9-15.32-4.4 Listen, Israel, to the commandments of life, incline your ear to know prudence.
Why, Israel? Because you are in enemy land and Have you grown old in a foreign land? Because you defiled yourself with the dead and are you in the number of those who go down to hell? You have abandoned the fountain of wisdom! If you had walked in the way of God, you would dwell forever in peace.
Learn where prudence is, where is the strength, where is the intelligence, to understand also where is longevity and life, where is the light of the eyes and peace. But who has discovered his abode, who has penetrated into its treasures?
But he who knows everything, knows it and he scrutinized her with his intelligence, he who formed the earth forever and filled it with quadrupeds, the one who sends the light and it runs, he called to her, and she obeyed him with trembling.
The stars have shone in their watch posts and they rejoiced; he called them and they answered: «Here we are!», and they shone with joy for him who created them. He is ours God, and no one else can compare with him.
He has discovered every way of wisdom and gave it to Jacob his servant, to Israel, his beloved. For this she appeared on earth and lived among men.
It is the book of decrees of God and the law that stands forever; all who hold fast to it will have life, those who abandon it will die.
Return, Jacob, and receive her, walk in the splendor of his light.
Don't give your glory to another nor your privileges to a foreign nation. Blessed are we, O Israel, because what a. likes God is known to us.
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshes the soul; the testimony of the Lord is stable, makes the simple wise. R.
The precepts of the Lord are right, they make the heart rejoice; the command of the Lord is clear, light up your eyes. R.
The fear of the Lord is pure, remains forever; the judgments of the Lord are faithful, they are all right. R.
More precious than gold, of much fine gold, sweeter than honey and a dripping honeycomb. R.
Let's pray. OR God, who always increase yours Church calling new children from all nations, keep in your protection those you make reborn from the water of Baptism. For Christ our Lord.
Seventh Reading I will sprinkle pure water on you and give you a new heart.
From the book of the prophet Ezekiel Ez 36,16-17a.18-28
This word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, the house of Israel, when they inhabited their land, defiled it by their ways and by their doings. Therefore I poured out my anger upon them for the blood they had shed in the land and for the idols with which they had defiled it. I have scattered them among the nations, and they have been scattered into other territories: I have judged them according to their conduct and their deeds.
They came among the nations where they had been driven and profaned my holy name, because it was said of them: "These are the people of the Lord and yet they were driven out of their land."
But I have been considerate of my holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations to which they came. Therefore announce to the house of Israel: “Thus saith the Lord God: I act not for your sake, house of Israel, but for love of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you have come. I will sanctify my great name, profaned among the nations, profaned by you among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord - oracle of the Lord God –, when I show my holiness in you before their eyes.
I will take you from the nations, and gather you from every land, and bring you to your own soil. I will sprinkle you with pure water and you will be cleansed; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols; I will give you a new heart, I will put a new spirit within you, I will remove your heart of stone from you and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put my spirit within you and cause you to live according to my laws and cause you to observe and do my standards. You will live in the land which I gave to your fathers; you will be my people and I will be yours God”».
R. As the deer yearns for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, o God.
My soul thirsts for God, the God living: when i come and see the face of God? R.
I walked through the crowd, I preceded her to the house of God, with songs of joy and praise of a festive crowd. R.
Send your light and your truth: let them guide me, lead me to your holy mountain, to your home. R.
I will come to the altar of God, to God, my joyous exultation. I will sing to you on the lyre, God, my God. R.
Second Reading
Christ risen from the dead dies no more.Let's pray.
O God, who illuminate this most holy night with the glory of the resurrection of the Lord, revive in yours Church the spirit of filial adoption, because, renewed in body and soul, we are always loyal to your service.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who is God, and lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for all ages of ages.
Epistle Christ risen from the dead dies no more.
From the letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Romans Rom 6:3-11 Brethren, do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death?
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, so that, as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too can walk in a new life. For if we have been intimately united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be in the likeness of his resurrection.
We know it: the old man in us was crucified with him, so that this body of sin might be made ineffective, and we would no longer be slaves to sin. For whoever is dead is freed from sin.
But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, knowing that Christ, having risen from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. For he died, and died for sin once and for all; now he instead he lives, and lives for God. So you also consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive for God, in Christ Jesus.
God's word.
Gospel acclamation
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.
Give thanks to the Lord that he is good, because its love it's forever. Say Israel: "His love it's forever." R.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
The right hand of the Lord is lifted up, the right hand of the Lord has done mighty things. I won't die, but I will stay alive and I will announce the works of the Lord. R.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
The stone rejected by the builders it has become the cornerstone. This was done by the Lord: a marvel in our eyes. R.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Gospel
He has risen and precedes you to Galilee.
From the Gospel according to Matthew Mt 28,1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord, in fact, descended from heaven, approached, rolled away the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his dress white as snow. Because of their fear of him, the guards were shaken and remained as if dead.
The angel said to the women: «Do not be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, the crucifix. He's not here. Indeed, he has risen as he had said; come, see the place where he was laid. Hurry, go and tell his disciples: “He has risen from the dead, and behold, he precedes you into Galilee; there you will see it”. Here, I told you." Hurriedly leaving the tomb with fear and great joy, the women ran to give the announcement to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came and embraced his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them: «Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee: there they will see me."
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