Category Archives: Resurrection

Draw near

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Diego Velázquez (1599-1660)
Kitchen Scene with the Supper in Emmaus
oil on canvas, ca.1618
National Gallery of Ireland

Fatigue. Fear. Self-absorption. Indifference. These are conditions that prevent me from recognizing the Lord in the people I meet.

Today I will put my attention on the Lord and ask for the grace to recognize the Lord in every member of God’s human family.

And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. Luke 24:15-16

Peace be with you

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Guercino, 1591-1666
Doubting Thomas
oil on canvas, 1st half 17th c.
Salzburg, Residenzgalerie

May I have the faith to unlock my heart to receive the gift of the Lord’s peace.

And may I carry the message of the Lord’s peace wherever I go today.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” John 19:26b

Who’s in charge

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JESUS MAFA. Empty Tomb, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved April 16, 2017]

God triumphs over death, proving once and for all who is in charge of life and all that lives.

May I put my trust in the Lord, even when it seems like world events are out of control.

[The angel said to the women,] “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.” Matthew 28:5-6a

In the presence

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John 21:1-19

John 21:1-19

It only takes a moment to recognize the Lord. May I keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to realize he is here and I am with him.

Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. John 21:12

Within the wounds

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Caravaggio (1571-1610) Doubting Thomas oil on canvas, ca.1601-1602 Potsdam, Sanssouci

Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Doubting Thomas
oil on canvas, ca.1601-1602
Potsdam, Sanssouci

I am called by faith to investigate my wounds—betrayal, shame, illness, fear, grief, depression—and find therein the Risen Jesus. And I am also called by faith to honor the wounds of others and find therein the Risen Jesus.

Today I will find peace in the presence of the Risen Jesus despite the many wounds of the human family.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
John 20:26a-27

Taught by God

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James Tissot (1836-1902) La multiplicité des pains, between 1886 and 1894 opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper Brooklyn Museum

James Tissot (1836-1902)
La multiplicité des pains, between 1886 and 1894
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

The Word of God teaches me to be bread for those who are hungry for kindness,  encouragement, compassion, and love.

The Word of God teaches me to eat the bread of forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, and nonviolence.

The Word of God teaches me that the Lord is the bread that gives me the nourishment to love my neighbor as myself, welcome strangers, feed the hungry, and visit the sick.

[Jesus said:] “It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.” John 6:45a

Some day

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ev3pa26bSometimes the way is still dark and I have no clarity. In these moments, I need to keep moving toward the Lord. Some day I will understand.

For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead. John 20:9

Entwined with God

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256px-005-a-Ruby-kindles-in-the-vine-810x1146

A Ruby kindles in the vine, 1905, 1912
Adelaide Hanscom, 1875-1931
via Wikimedia Commons

[Jesus said to his disciples:] “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” John 14:20

Jesus, the vine that gives us life, is in us and we are in him. We are forever entwined with God, with God’s love and grace and goodness and compassion. We breathe with God, live with God, move with God, love with God.

We are the visible fruit of God’s healing and peace in the world. We are the trusted servants of God, trusted to forgive, show mercy, and practice non-violence. We are trusted to build up those who are broken, fragile, discouraged, poor, homeless, and suffering. We are trusted to bring the hope of the Resurrection and God’s eternal love to all those we encounter.