THE EASTER VIGIL (A, B, C) Lectionary # 41 As Ash Wednesday gave
a penitential tone to all of Lent, so the Vigil gives an
initiatory tone to the Easter celebration. Its readings and
rituals are best understood in communities that are initiating
new adult members. For music suggestions, see Easter Day and
other suggestions for the Easter Season. For music for the
initiation rites, see the suggestions for the sprinkling rite on
Easter Day and the suggestions for the Solemnity of the Baptism
of the Lord, Lectionary #21. The readings of the Vigil tell the
story of salvation especially as it relates to water. Thus the
first reading (Genesis 1:1–2:2) tells of creation as it emerges
from “the waters,” and the psalm (Ps 104) sings of God's care
for creation through water. The third reading (Exodus
14:15–15:1, a required reading) tells of salvation from slavery
through the waters of the sea, and it is followed by the “Song
of Moses and Miriam” (Exodus 15:1-18) which praises God as the
victor who hurled Pharaoh’s chari