Easter Sunday He is Risen! Risen indeed!

OPENING PRAYER. . .Loving God, Creator of all that is, here I am--today in this place that you have given me, with all the senses you have given me. Help me to use them to experience you on a deeper level. May I experience you all around me, open me to know more of your ways and know that your goodness surrounds me. Thank you for this time to be with you and to just listen. Amen

LISTEN. . .After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.   There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.   His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.   The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.   The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.   He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:1-6)

The women came to the tomb that morning bent over by grief and expecting only death.  A sudden earthquake shook them out of their sorrow and awoke them to an angel announcing good news, assuring them: "Do not be afraid.  Jesus is alive!"
 
Like the women at the tomb, we are scarred by our Good Friday stories of struggle, stumbling and suffering.  But we also give witness to the many kinds of resurrection that are just as real in our lives.

We are an Easter people, called to embrace the cross always in the hope of resurrection.  Many of us our bent and scarred and yet full of promise and hope because the tomb is empty, Jesus is alive and he is with us!

May you have a blessed Easter Sunday!

PRAYER. . . God of hope and promise, shake me from my sorrow and awaken me to your presence.  Give me eyes to see and a heart attuned to resurrection happenings in my life.  Christ is risen!  Risen indeed! Amen.