Praying with Sunday's Scriptures

Editor's note: To help small faith-sharing groups, couples, individuals and others continue the Renew 2000 experience of Praying with Sunday's Scriptures, a Diocesan Faith Sharing writing Team has prepared a weekly series for Lent using the Renew model.

	April 16, 2006, Easter Sunday Reading I: Acts 10: 34, 37-43 Reading II: Col. 3: 1-4 Gospel: John 1: 35-42

Focus: We reflect upon the central belief of Christianity: that Jesus rose from the dead and those who believe in him will also have eternal life.

Opening Prayer:

Gracious God, you sent your only Son into our world as one like us. He emptied himself and was obedient even unto death, so that your power and glory might be shown in raising him to eternal life. Help us to be open to your will for us, through Jesus, that we might have a share in his glory. Amen.

Scripture Sharing: What thought, line or image from the Scripture readings caught your attention?

Reflection: The reality of Jesus' Resurrection took a while to sink in. Although Peter and the Beloved Disciple heard Mary Magdalene's testimony, they still had to run and see and even then Peter did not understand. It was not until after Pentecost that the Twelve gave testimony of their belief in the Resurrection. Yet, what else could have moved these twelve common, uneducated men to fearlessly proclaim a Risen Christ, but the very fact of experiencing that Resurrection themselves? We who believe have indeed been raised up with our Savior.

	Readings for the Week Sunday, April 9: (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion) Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16 (procession); Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9,17-18a;19-20,23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1--15:47 or 15:1-39. Monday, April 10: Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3,13-14; Jn 12:1-11. Tuesday, April 11: Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-4a,5-6ab,15,17; Jn 13:21-33,36-38. Wednesday, April 12: Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10,21bcd-22,31,33-34; Mt 26:14-25. Thursday, April 13: (Holy Thursday) Is 61:1-3a,6a,8b-9; Ps 89:21-22,25,27; Rv 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21; (Holy Thursday Evening) Ex 12:1-8,11-14; Ps 116:12-13,15-16bc,17-18; I Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15. Friday, April 14: (Good Friday of the Lord's Passion) Is 52:13--53:12; Ps 31:2,6,12-13,15-17,25; Heb 4:14-16;5:7-9; Jn 18:1--19:42.
	Saturday, April 15: (The Easter Vigil) (1) Gn 1:1--2:2 or 1:1,26-31a; Ps 104:1-2a,5-6,10,12-14,24,35c or Ps 33:4-7,12-13,20,22; (2) Gn 22:1-18 or 22:1-2,9a,10-13,15-18; Ps 16:5,8-11; (3) Ex 14:15--15:1; (Ps) Ex 15:1-6,17-18; (4) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2,4-6,11-12a,13b; (5) Is 55:1-11; (Ps) Is 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6; (6) Bar 3:9-15,32-4:4; Ps 19:8-11; (7) Ez 36:16-17a,18-28; Pss 42:3,5bcd;43:3-4; or when baptism is celebrated, (Ps) Is 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6 or Ps 51:12-15,18-19; (8) Rom 6:3-11; Ps 118:1-2,16ab-17,22-23; (9) Mk 16:1-7. Sunday, April 16: (Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord) Acts 10:34a,37-43; Ps 118:1-2,16ab-17,22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or 41: Mk 16:1-7 or, at an afternoon Mass, 46: Lk 24:13-35.

Faith Sharing:

1. What is meant, today, by Peter's statement that "God has no favorites?"

2. Jesus was able to come out of the Tomb because of his trust in the Father. Do we trust that God will "Raise" us from our "Tombs" of despair?

3. What is it that tends to keep our thoughts "on the earth", and not on "things above"?

Action Response: How do you live stewardship as your way of life?

1. Name one situation in your life you need to let go of to let God work.

2. How can you best share your experience of being a believer in the Resurrection with others?

3. Spend some time in quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Ask Jesus for the grace of ongoing conversion and the ability to empty yourself to let the Holy Spirit work in you.

Closing Prayer: Individuals may offer their intentions to bring to prayer.

Eternal Father, give us your Holy Spirit. Help us to let go of our plans and need for control and open ourselves to your love for us. Teach us to be loving not only in the exceptional moments, but also in the ordinary events of our lives. Help us to believe in your Son's Resurrection, and live our lives that we may be with him in eternity. Amen.

(Dcn. Mike Grzeca, Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2006)