First Monday of Eastertide
Genesis 1:17-2:3 NRSV
So, God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Thus, the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So, God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 NRSV
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever.
It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all things and great Lover of our souls,
We celebrate during this Easter season your gift of life.
As we survey the created world and expanse of the universe that came into being at your word, we understand that the breath of life in every creature came from you. Bringing life and order out of chaos is the work of your creative genius. You alone have the wisdom and power to create all that exists, whether seen or unseen, and you shower all with your bountiful love. To you belongs praise and adoration, for in giving us life and providing for our needs, you shower us with plentiful abundance.
We give you thanks, O Lord, for you are good, and your steadfast love endures forever. We receive your goodness and offer our thanks through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
Goodness of God
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
