Month: April 2014

Morning Prayer: 21 Apr – John 20:11-18 ~ “I have seen the Lord”

Morning Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentences — The Way of the Cross

Let all creation give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Filled with His praises, give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Stepping out boldly, we claim resurrection.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Morning reading

John 20:11-18 ESV

Magdalena Gheorghe Tattarescu (1820-1894) Muzeul Municipiului Bucureşti, Română
Magdalena
Gheorghe Tattarescu (1820-1894)
Muzeul Municipiului Bucureşti, Română

Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 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.”

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

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.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for 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.’”

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” — and that he had said these things to her.

Reflections:

heavenly messengers

John picks up the story with Mary at the tomb; the emphasis is on her crying. Her great love is poured out in her grief. She thinks she is alone, though “like other sorrowful disciples since” (H. C. G. Moule), she actually has angels in front of her and the Lord behind her. When she bends down to look in the tomb she sees the angels. Such heavenly messengers appear at many of the significant points in salvation history. Like the grave clothes, their presence witnesses “that the powers of heaven have been at work here” (Beasley-Murray).

There is no indication that Mary recognizes the messengers as angels, presumably due to the depth of her grief. The angels speak to her with great compassion: “Woman, why are you crying?”. In the face of this grief the angels do not bombard her with good news but rather ask the question that can lead to the healing word.

Jesus’ appearance

Jesus comes to Mary with great love and gentleness. The good news is not just that Jesus arose but that the character of God is revealed in Jesus. He is life, and he is also love. When Jesus calls her name she knows his voice. Mary naturally assumes that their relationship could pick up where it left off and continue on as before. Jesus’ response, however, lets her know there has been a radical change in him and consequently in his relationship with his followers.

Jesus says he is still on the move, and he also sets Mary in motion to bear the news to the disciples. She has just found him, and now she is sent away, but she is sent with a commission. As the ancient church put it, she becomes an apostle to the apostles.

new family

The new community Jesus founded during his ministry became a new family at the cross, and now the disciples are to enter into this new form of relationship. Jesus’ returning to the Father is also good news for the disciples, not just because they share in his joy, but also for their own condition. For when Jesus returns to the Father he will send the Paraclete, who will teach them all things and complete their union with the Father and the Son. The Father is the Father of the disciples in this new intimacy precisely because he is Jesus’ Father, for the disciples are now Jesus’ brothers.

new witness

Mary Magdalene goes off and announces to the disciples what she has seen and heard. John does not mention the poor reception that was given to her message (Mk 16:11; Lk 24:11), though the fearful, doubting state of the disciples in the next section implies as much. All a witness can do is share what he or she knows to be true. Christian witness should not attempt to share an experience; it should direct people to Jesus so people can encounter him for themselves. Mary’s message could alert the disciples to the fact that Jesus was alive, but they had to come to faith for themselves. Jesus met Mary in a way that was best for her. Now he will do the same for the disciples as a group.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series
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Canticle:

Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

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Peanut Gallery: A brief word of explanation – the general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) The Scripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world.

Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.

Easter Sunday: John 20:1-9 NLT – He’s alive!

Reading: John 20:1-9 NLT

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

image

Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings.

Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.

Spiritual Song: “He’s Alive!” – Don Francisco

“He descended into hell…”

"Descent into Hell" Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1311 Museo dell Opera del Duomo, Florence
“Descent into Hell”
Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1311
Museo dell Opera del Duomo, Florence

Today a great silence reigns on earth, a great silence and a great stillness. A great silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. . . He has gone to search for Adam, our first father, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow Adam in his bonds and Eve, captive with him – He who is both their God and the son of Eve. . . “I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. . . I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead.”

Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday
In The Catechism of the Catholic Church
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Today Hades tearfully sighs: “Would that I had not received him who was born of Mary, for he came to me and destroyed my power; he broke my bronze gates, and being God, delivered the souls I had been holding captive.”

O Lord, glory to your cross and to your holy resurrection!

Today Hades groans: “My power has vanished. I received one who died as mortals die, but I could not hold him; with him and through him I lost those over which I had ruled. I had held control over the dead since the world began, and lo, he raises them all up with him!”

O Lord, glory to your cross and to your holy resurrection!

Holy Saturday Orthodox Liturgy
A Triddum Sourcebook, p. 66

Good Friday: John 19:38-42; Matthew 27:62-66 ~ Jesus is laid in the tomb

The Way of the Cross

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence — St Paul of the Cross

The way of the Cross is the road which leads to Paradise; it is the sure way to holiness.

The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love.

Station Fourteen – Jesus is laid in the tomb

John 19:38-42 ESV

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Station 14 - Jesus is laid in tomb
Station 14 – Jesus is laid in tomb

Matthew 27:62-66 ESV

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Reflections:

Laid in a borrowed tomb, awaiting the sign of Jonah – the only sign that would be given to His generation – that after three days and nights in the womb of the earth. the belly of the fish, the grave and hell, He would come forth to do His Father’s will – Jesus the humble Son of God, the exultant Son of Man, the eternal contradiction, the Blessed One.

The end is not yet. Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning. The Good News – “He is risen” – will burst upon the Son-rise.

Therefore with joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

Devotion to the Passion of Jesus is the easiest way to be saved. The crucifix is a book wherein we learn every virtue, we learn the science of the saints, and therein we find all.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

When all is dark, and Hope is buried, it is hard to trust His words that promised before the pain: He died that I might live.

In His death is my birth. He died that I might live.

In His life is my life. He died that I might live.

My Jesus! He died that I might live.
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Lord God, You willed that we should be baptized into the death of Your Son, Jesus our Savior. Grant us sincere repentance, so that passing with Him through death, we may be reborn into the joy of newness of life. We ask this through Him Who died, was buried and rose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Peanut Gallery: A brief word of explanation – the general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) The Scripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world.

Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.

Good Friday: John 19:31-37 ~ Jesus is taken down from the cross

The Way of the Cross

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence — St Paul of the Cross

The way of the Cross is the road which leads to Paradise; it is the sure way to holiness.

The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love.

Station Thirteen – Jesus dies on the cross

Station 13 - Jesus is taken down from thew cross
Station 13 – Jesus is taken down from thew cross

John 19:31-37 ESV

Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness — his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth — that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

Reflections:

Jesus could now feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. And with a loud voice He cried: “It is finished.” His mission of atonement had been completed. Finally, He could allow His body to die. With one last surge of strength, He once again pressed His torn feet against the nail, straightened His legs, took a deeper breath, and uttered His seventh and last cry: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” A while later, the soldier pierced a long spear into the side of the dead man, to His heart. The watery fluid and blood that flowed out show us He had literally died of a broken heart – not the usual crucifixion death od suffocation. The friends of Jesus were allowed to remove His holy body, and for a moment his mother held Him again upon her lap, cradled in her arms.

Let Him sleep now. It is finished.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

If we go to the crucifix, we find our Mother of Sorrows, for where the Son is, there also is the Mother.

Blessed Mother, what sorrow you experienced in receiving your dead Son into your arms! May the Passion of our Lord may be for us a fountain of sorrow, of pardon, of love and of life.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’re such love and sorrow meet? or thorns compose so rich a crown? It was for me.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast save in the death of Christ my God. All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. It was for me.
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O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who at the sixth hour ascended the gibbet of the cross for the redemption of the world and shed Your precious blood for the remission of our sins, grant, we humbly beseech You, that after our death we may enter with joy the gates of Paradise. You, who lives and reigns forever and ever, Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Peanut Gallery: A brief word of explanation – the general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) The Scripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world.

Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.