Second Sunday in Easter
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Collect for the Second Sunday in Easter, Book of Common Prayer)
Psalm 118:14-29 NRSV
The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly; the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord. The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
The strength of my life; the Lord is His name!
Great Giver of joy; the Lord is His name!
He valiantly fights for the ones He has saved.
Exalted! Almighty! The Lord is His name!
Death lingers o’er me; the Lord gives me Life!
Because sin is in me; the Lord gives me Life!
Still, righteousness reigns through the Lord Jesus Christ.
He brings me to God; the Lord gives me Life!
Rejected and beaten; the Lord conquered death!
Creator crucified; the Lord conquered death!
Rejoicing in Christ’s resurrection to life;
He’s reigning in heaven; the Lord conquered death!
We bless you, O Lord, for your goodness and love!
We rest in you, Lord, in your goodness and love!
You’re holy and righteous and faithful and just.
Help us to show daily your goodness and love.
O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men, women, and children everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer)
Stand Up and Bless the Lord
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).
