Sunday 31 March 2024

Today is Easter Sunday, the 31st March.

Everyone at Pray As You Go would like to wish you a very happy Easter!

As I enter into prayer today on this Easter day, I slow down. I slow right down and notice where I am, I notice what is around me, and I notice who is around me, the people here, what they look like, what they are doing, the expressions on their faces. In all of this, God is present. Right here, right now. God’s presence the Risen Christ, who triumphs over sin and death sanctifies this ordinary place, and these ordinary people, and makes them holy.

Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis. Sanctus.
Holy Lord God of hosts.
Thy glory fills all heaven and earth.
Hosanna in high heaven.
Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in high heaven.




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 16:1-7

When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices with which to go and anoint him. And very early in the morning on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. They had been saying to one another, 'Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?' But when they looked they saw that the stone -- which was very big -- had already been rolled back. On entering the tomb they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right-hand side, and they were struck with amazement. But he said to them, 'There is no need to be so amazed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he has risen, he is not here. See, here is the place where they laid him. But you must go and tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee; that is where you will see him, just as he told you." '


The women creep out under cover of darkness, aware of the problems ahead: the Roman soldiers, the Temple guard, the heavy stone… The resurrection dawns with a proclamation yet to be understood, a promise yet to be fulfilled. How do you feel as you move from darkness to the promise of light?

The women are given a message to pass on. The promises of Jesus can be trusted, even when there’s no immediate evidence to prove them. How do you feel when invited to trust the crucified and risen Jesus? What do you find yourself wanting to say to him?

As we hear a repetition of Mark’s proclamation of the resurrection, what part of it draws you particularly? Does anything strike you especially as promise or as challenge?

It can take us time to internalise good news and to respond to it. Speak to the God whose promises of light in darkness are fulfilled in the risen Jesus, expressing all that is in your heart and asking for whatever you need.

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