Christ and St Mary Magdalene at the Tomb. 1638. Rembrandt.
Opening
Living Lord,
Let the light and hope of this day
Seep into every part of us.
We are longing
for the hope we know in You.
Reflection
The events of this week,
and if we are honest,
the events of so many weeks
have taken their toll on us.
Make us aware of your presence
with us right where we are.
Shine your light on us
and renew us
through your Living Word.
Invitation
As you read the scripture,
observe how Jesus is present to Mary.
What do you notice about their interchange?
If you wish, prayerfully imagine you are there
and Jesus meets you in the garden
calling you by name.
How does your conversation go
on this Resurrection morning?
Scripture: John 20:11-18
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look[a] into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew,[b] “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
Prayer Response
Risen Lord,
Thank you for the way
You see us and know us.
Nothing is hidden from you.
You know our doubts and fears
our griefs and sorrows.
You meet us right in the midst of them
just as you met the disciples
in the midst of theirs
on resurrection morning.
What good news this is for us,
Giver of Life.
May the truth of this
fill us with your deep abiding peace.
As we each hear you call our own name
may light break forth like a brilliant sunrise
within us.
May joy arise as a fountain deep within
as hope becomes reality.
Yes, shadows and death are still to be found
but they do not have the last word.
You do!
We don’t go it alone,
we have You!
Because of You we know true life..
Because of You
everything is different.
Make us ever mindful
of the hope, joy, strength,
love and life within
because You live there with us.
Christ is Risen, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Amen.
Copyright © 2020, Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff