Praying with Sunday's Scriptures

Editor's note: To help small faith-sharing groups, couples, individuals and others continuing the Renew 2000 experience of praying with the Sunday Scripture readings, a Diocesan Faith Sharing Writing Team has prepared a weekly series for Lent using the Renew model. It will appear in The Compass the week before that Sunday.

	Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007 Reading I: Acts 10:34,37-43 Reading II: Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Gospel: John 20:1-9

By Anissa Lodzinski

Focus: Christ is risen! Tell everyone the good news: This is the day the Lord has made!

Opening Prayer: God of life and Author of love, you have raised Jesus from the dead so that we might have life in him. In his resurrection all creation has been reborn. May the life and love we celebrate this day be constant and lasting in our lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.

Scripture Sharing

Read the scriptures aloud. Pause for a moment between the readings. Each group member is invited to share an idea from one of the readings, which had an impact on him or her.

Reflection

Today we celebrate Easter - Jesus' triumph over death and his resurrection to new life. But what do you think Mary Magdalene and Peter were thinking on that first Easter morning when they went to Jesus' tomb and found it empty? I would imagine that the joy and excitement we feel on this day would have been replaced by fear and confusion for them. What if they had stayed stuck in that fear? What if they would have forgotten Jesus' promise of the resurrection and the new life that would be theirs if they believed? We, too, need to remember that we believe in Jesus' resurrection and live each day grateful for the gift of our life in Christ. Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

Faith Sharing

1. If you had been Mary Magdalene arriving at the empty tomb of Jesus, how would you have felt? What would you have done?

2. If you had been Peter, hearing that Jesus had been taken from the tomb, how would you have felt?

3. If you had to describe Easter to someone who had never heard of it, what would you say?

4. What are some of the ways you live the good news of the resurrection and your new life in Christ?

Suggested Action Response

1. Celebrate Easter by planning a special meal prayer to use each day of the Easter season.

2. Decorate an Easter candle as a family for your family table and light it every evening for supper.

3. Celebrate the good news of Easter in your home by asking someone who will be alone to join you and your family.

4. Find a food pantry in your area and volunteer to help distribute food to those who would otherwise go without this Easter.

Closing Prayer - Individuals offer their prayer intentions, then all pray or sing together:

Psalm 118

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his mercy endures forever

Let the house of Israel say, "God's mercy endures forever."

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

By the Lord has this been done, it is wonderful in our eyes!

(Lodzinski is the associate director of worship for the Green Bay Diocese and is a member of the Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2007.)