Enjoy this reflection!
Text: Mat. 28:1-15; Mk. 16:1-8; Lu. 23:54 – 24:9; Jn 20:1-2
CENTERING YOURSELF
Gracious God, in this Resurrection season, I center myself on the reality that you are living and present God, not in an empty tomb. May my heart and mind be open to receiving your love, truth, and grace so that I will be transformed by your presence in my life. Today, I celebrate the triumph of your love over death and thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who overcame the powers of darkness and opened the way to new life. Amen.
SACRED READING
- He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Mat. 28:6
- Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mk. 16:6
- Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee. Lu. 24:5-6
- Finally, the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Jn. 20:8-9
READING FROM PAST & PRESENT TEACHERS
- At the end of our lives, we hope we will look back and, like an incense stick completely burned away, will have poured all our fragrance into the world. Prem Prakash
- Every religious tradition is rooted in mysteries I don’t pretend to understand, including claims about what happens after we die. But this I know for sure: as long as we’re alive, choosing Resurrection is always worth the risk. Parker Palmer
- I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. Rosa Parks
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- How can I cultivate a deeper relationship with the risen Christ beyond believing in His Resurrection? In what ways can I allow His Resurrection to transform my life and my relationship with Him?
- How can I use the metaphor of incense and spices to enhance my prayer and worship life and better connect with the divine? How can I make my prayers and worship more pleasing and meaningful to God and use them to further spread the message of Christ?
- How does fear impact my relationship with God and my faith community? How can I use fear as a call to action and a reminder of faith?
- Have I developed a personal relationship with the risen Christ, or am I simply believing in an empty tomb? How can I deepen my relationship with Him?
- How am I participating in the spreading of the gospel? Am I actively involved in sharing the message of Christ with others? How can I do more to spread the gospel and make a difference in the world?
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, on this Easter Morn, I confess that I have not always lived as a person of the Resurrection. I have been slow to believe and hesitant to trust in your power to transform my life. I have been caught up in the things of this world rather than setting my mind on what matters to you, our relationship. Forgive me, and renew in me the hope and joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
As God-beloved, this is the good news: in Jesus Christ, I am forgiven, and we are forgiven. I have reconciled with God and others through his death and Resurrection. Therefore, I embrace the joy and freedom of this new life and live as one who has been raised with Christ. Amen.
PRAYING FOR OTHERS
Gracious God, I lift up your people around the world. May your resurrection power be at work in our hearts, our homes, our communities, and our world. May we witness your love, truth, and grace and live in the hope of your promised Resurrection. Amen.
BLESSING
May the God of Resurrection fill us with new life and hope, and may the power of the Holy Spirit be at work in us, transforming us into the likeness of Christ. I Go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord. And I encourage you to do the same. Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen.