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]
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew,
“Rabbouni” (which means Teacher)…Jesus said to her…”go to my brothers and say
to them I am ascending to my Father…” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the
disciples...”I have seen the Lord…” [John 20:16-18]
EASTER is here! Hallelujah!! Christ IS Risen!!! Wherever you are
on this planet whether bursting into Spring, slipping into Autumn, or somewhere
in between, today our Salvation is assured, again and still, through our
faith in this Risen Lord of All.
There are four Gospel accounts of the death
and resurrection of Jesus. This year we hear from the Gospel of John who tells
us of Mary the Magdalene’s weeping at the tomb and, looking in, seeing two
angels sitting where the body of Jesus had been placed. The angels asked why
she was weeping. She turned around and saw Jesus but didn’t recognize him at
first and then she did…
What does Easter actually mean to and for you?
How would you describe it? Which of the four Gospel stories is closest to your
memory or has greater impact for you in your daily life? Listening to and
reading different accounts of the same event can give us a fresh perspective
and a new experience of the moment.
Take the time in this Easter
season and read all 4 of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus*, perhaps in a small group.
Read them all in several different translations. Reflect on what surprises you
and what questions arise. Notice the similarities and differences. Wonder, and attempt
to decide, if one account speaks to you more than another and why? Or
perhaps you'll mix and match the Gospel writers' accounts to arrive at your own
version. Visualize yourself in that time and place. Whatever you do, ask
yourself: So what? What does it all mean for my life today, tomorrow, and
beyond? What will I do ~ or stop doing ~ as a result of reflecting on Christ's
Death and Resurrection?
The late Thomas Merton, who became a
Trappist Monk after being a world traveler in his early life, says in his book, He
is Risen, “Christ is the Lord of a history that moves. He not only holds
the beginning and the end in his hands, but he is in history with us, walking
ahead of us to where we are going…True encounter with Christ liberates
something in us, a power that we did not know we had, a hope, a capacity for
life, resilience, an ability to bounce back when we thought we were completely
defeated, a capacity to grow and change, a power of creative transformation.” How
important are these words, in these times, for you?
Let us seek fresh joy
and creative transformation. I want to dust off and resurrect my faith,
and meet and be liberated by our Christ beyond the tomb. While I firmly believe
that the resurrection of Easter requires the Cross of Good Friday, as Christ is
moving with us and before us, our path, though not easy, will surely lead us
into the eternal Easter of Salvation and life everlasting. Choirs of
angels await… And while you’re at it, don’t forget to be in touch
with those for whom the Church is always distant and unattainable, who are
isolated by age, illness, physical distance, and other reasons. A phone call, a
note, a mail-ordered or delivered Easter basket will go a long way to keeping
Christ present in their absence from us…a little taste of heaven goes a long
way. He IS Risen! He IS ALWAYS RISEN! Hallelujah!
*The
Gospel Resurrection accounts are: Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12
[13-44], John 20:1-18 For different translations, see https://www.biblegateway.com/. Search on the passages
listed and choose from a large number of translations. Some listed such as The
Good News Bible, The Living Bible, The Message, etc., are not translations
but paraphrases by authors choosing to make the more formal Scriptural language
somewhat easier to everyday thoughts and speaking. It often helps in reverse, after
reading a paraphrase turn back to the Scripture in translation to understand it
more clearly.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O Christ, Risen! On this Day the Lord has acted! Let
us rejoice and be glad in it! In the midst of the darkness and fear in this
world, let us revel in the Divine Light of Your Glorious Resurrection.
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Response: Jesus is risen indeed!
Hallelujah!
~ O Christ, Risen! Especially in these uncertain times, grant
ever increasing amounts of prudence, integrity of purpose, compassion, and
mercy, to all the political leaders of this Earth, this Nation, and this
Community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
~ O Christ, Risen! Lavish Your healing grace and hope upon all
who are ailing in body, mind, or spirit, and all who give them daily
care. We now join our hearts to pray aloud for those in need… add
your own petitions
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
~ O Christ, Risen! Our grateful hearts commend to You those we
love, who have now also risen into the heavenly peace and splendor of life
everlasting. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
~ O Christ, Risen! We pause in this moment to
offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and
memorials, aloud or silently… add your
own petitions
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
~ O Christ, Risen! Infuse the leaders of Your Church with
limitless energy and interior peace, as they strive in ever more creative ways,
to guide our prayer and encourage us to follow Your Truth. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
Jesus is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
The Celebrant adds: Most Holy Redeemer Christ, Resurrected in
Glory, in dying You destroyed our mortal death; in rising You claimed
salvation for our souls. Release us from human distractions that entomb us in this
earthly life, and set us again on the path to our True and Eternal Life in You.
We ask through the Holy Spirit, the Divine Breath of New Life; and our Merciful
Impartial Creator, who together with You are One God in Glory, Boundless, and
Everlasting. Amen.
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