JESUS MAFA. Empty Tomb, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved April 16, 2017]
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
![Dibujo de Jesucristo, en acuarela. Parque de la Exposición. Lima, Perú.By Dtarazona (Own work) [GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jesuscristo_acuarela_05072009.JPG)
Dibujo de Jesucristo, en acuarela. Parque de la Exposición. Lima, Perú.
By Dtarazona (Own work) [GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
Today I will honor the One in each and every member of our human family.
[Jesus prayed, saying,] “And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one.” John 17:22-23a
I do my best to keep the word of Jesus: to love my neighbor, pray for my enemies, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the ill, welcome those I don’t know, forgive those who hurt me.
And when I forget, the Holy Spirit nudges me—a gentle tug at my heart, maybe, or it could be a spotlight shining on my selfishness. The Holy Spirit’s nudges show me the way to holy wholeness where I become a collaborator in the community of Love.
[Jesus said to his disciples:] “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” John 14:26
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
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
Empress Dowager Cixi, 1838-1908
Vines with fruit
ink and water color on silk, first half of 19th c.
Warsaw, National Museum
via Wikimedia Commons
If my heart remains open to and my mind stays focused on Jesus’ teaching to love God, my neighbor, and myself, I can count on being pruned.
Pride, arrogance, selfishness, self-centeredness, shame, low self-esteem, self-pity: these are traits God will prune in order that the fruit I bear in the world ripens into compassion, kindness, acceptance, forgiveness, peace, faith, and love.
[Jesus said to his disciples:] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” John 15:1-2
Sometimes 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
Easter Sunday 2015
The promise of new life is fulfilled. Alleluia!
Mary Ann McSweeny 
