Easter Sunday | Sunday 17 April 2022

Today is Easter Sunday, the 17th of April.
A very happy Easter from everyone at Pray As You Go!
Nóirín Ní Riain, with the monks of Glenstal Abbey, sings a song in Irish, telling the story of the discovery of the empty tomb and proclaiming the Resurrection. As you begin to pray on this Easter Day, listen to the joy the deep desire expressed in this music to share the good news of the Resurrection, to share the hope and the joy that it brings…
(First verse available only)
’S é Íosa an firéan a shaothraigh ár n-anam,
’S é rinnemuid a cheannacht ón ndaoirse;
Is d’fhulaing sé páis agus bás ar an gcroich,
Mar gheall ar na peacaí a dhéan’mid.
Agus aililiú lá, aililiú ló, Ailililiú ó
Má mhaslaítear an cholainn,
Ní baolach don anam,
Ach ná séanaigí m’ainmse choíche.

The Resurrection
Jesus is the man who earned our souls,
We bought it from bondage;
And he suffered passion and death on the gallows,
Because of the sins we commit.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
If the body is offended,
Not dangerous to the soul,
But never deny my name.

Today's reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 24:1-12

‘But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened’.

Notice the feelings of Jesus’ disciples. They are perplexed and terrified, doubtful and amazed. How do you feel when you try to imagine this scene? Do you experience the presence of the Risen Jesus in your life and in the world around you, or are there thoughts and feelings that get in the way? What do you want to say to him?

The women are asked, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?’ Is Jesus living for you here and now, or is that hard to get in touch with? Perhaps you can revisit a time when you experienced that risen life in a special way. Or perhaps that is a grace you may want to pray for.

Peter doubts, but he goes to see for himself. As we listen to the reading a second time, what do you see and feel? How do you find yourself responding?

This scene is one of powerful emotions and the greatest challenge of all to the disciples’ faith. Can they truly believe that Jesus has conquered death itself? Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’. During this Holy Week you have witnessed Jesus dying. What do you want to say to Jesus risen from the dead?



We adore you O Christ and we bless you
because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.


Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be
World without end
Amen.