for April 16, 2016, Easter Day, Readings: Acts 10:34-43; Ps 118:1-2,
14-24; Colossians 3:1-4; Mt 28-1-10
It's Easter! In the midst of all the colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, and baskets of plastic grass and toys, let's all stop and take a breath and consider: It's Easter! Beyond the glorious music and singing, the solemnity of the Scriptures, the profusion of flowers with their heady perfumes - It's EASTER! Jesus the Christ, Messiah, Son of God, Holy Redeemer of our sins was murdered and then he ROSE FROM THE DEAD! Alive, breathing, speaking. He said he would and he did. Are we so jaded by secular culture that we have lost the amazement, the awe, the majesty of this moment? It is past time to recapture our wonder and look deeply into the heart of the faith that we claim. As the world around us becomes more "down to earth" and spirit-less, we must seek again those things that are above, where Christ is. The political stakes for Jesus were deathly high - much as they are for many of us today. Jesus raised them. So must we by taking ourselves out of the earthly tombs we create for ourselves and truly, deliberately, intentionally, follow the Christ we claim to believe. It's EASTER! Christ is Risen! Hallelujah!
...God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power...he went
about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was
with him. [Acts 10:38]
On
this day the LORD has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it. [Psalm 118:24]
Since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is...Set your minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth... [Colossians 3:1a, 2a]
But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. [Matthew 28:5-6a]
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE,
PRAY
Leader: ~ Radiant Risen Jesus, our Christ, let us put
aside the darkness of yesterday and revel in the Divine Light of Your Glorious
Resurrection. On this Day of Days the LORD has acted! We must rejoice and be
glad in it.
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Response: Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
~
Radiant Risen Jesus, our Christ, endow the political leaders of this Earth,
this Nation, and this Community with Your mantle of joy, love, and integrity
of purpose that arouses compassion, peace, cooperation, justice, and mercy for
all people everywhere.
We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
~ Radiant Risen Jesus, our Christ, lavish Your healing
grace and hope on all who are ailing in body, mind, or spirit, and on those who
give them daily care.
We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
~
Radiant Risen Jesus, our Christ, our grateful hearts commend those we love, who
have risen with You, into the heavenly peace and splendor of life everlasting. We pray especially for:
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
~
Radiant Risen Jesus, we pause in this
moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or
silently…
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
~
Radiant Risen Jesus, our Christ, grant
special grace to the leaders of Your Church who strive to enlighten and expand
our own knowledge, wisdom, and desire to follow Your Truth. We pray especially for:
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
The
Celebrant adds: Holy Christ, Resurrected in Glory, in dying You
destroyed our mortal death; in rising You claimed salvation for our souls. Release us from all
that binds us to the temporary and shallow that entombs us in this life, and set
us again on the path to claim all that awaits us in our True and Eternal Life in
God. We ask through the Holy Spirit, our Breath of New Life, and God, our
Creator, who together with You are One God, transcendent, immutable, immortal. Amen.
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