Session 8: The Life
Fresh light brightens, sense awakens… hardship slackens, tiredness departs… new hope gain force, joy infuses me,…
I begin by setting the scene of today’s reflection in my mind…
Shadows of night begin to flee, blue and gold break across the sky, day dawns and golden sunlight is shed, fear that I once felt is gone now, hope within begins to kindle, the one whom I had lost returns…
I ask for the grace to encounter the risen Jesus so that I may be filled with his joy… or whatever it is that I need at this moment…
Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
As you stand looking into the open tomb, notice the two Marys’ reaction to the angel’s message…they are filled with ‘fear and great joy’… keep watching as they leave the tomb to find Jesus waiting for them…they take hold of his feet and worship him… what are your own reactions as you begin to realise that Jesus is risen from the dead…?
As you listen to these words again, notice the joy that Jesus feels as he sees his friends again after all he has suffered…are you ready to share that same joy?
So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
Speak to Jesus, as one friend speaks to another, share with him your joy at encountering him, then listen to his response…
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.