"fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news..." Matthew 28

For the little ones - we took 7 under 9 to the long glorious Easter Vigil - the beauty of the Church filled with flowers and lilies and butterflies and candles aglow twice, and water flowing and singing of angels filled with Hallelujahs to the highest, and dressed in their spring Easter clothes - indicated to their wide eyes that this is a the highest of heavenly experiences we long for on this earth!  They approach the wonder that filled Mary Magdalene and the other Mary after seeing with eyes of Faith the empty tomb on the 3rd day!  They are described as "fearful yet overjoyed" as they were filled with HOPE and excitement beyond their wildest dreams - He is truly the Christ - He has risen from the dead!  Then..."And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.  They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.  Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid.  Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.' "  Matthew 28:8-15

"Wow!  Something very special and wonderful has happened!  Look!  All the glorious beauty of life has come forth suddenly from the death of winter, and I am a blossom in that garden of LIFE!" is the message we see in little 17 month old Bernadette.

But why all the words like fear and be not afraid?   All their hopes and dreams after seeing him led like an innocent Lamb to the slaughter... of course they felt battle weary at what looked like the loss to the darkness! 

The little ones, once again, showed us that we can without fear embrace, and kiss, and find hope in the Cross of Christ!

How we have lived the Truth of this - You must pass through the cross to find Easter/resurrection/LIFE!  John's story of brain cancer bringing him to Faith.  Patrick's healing when he was born dead and brought back to Life and now total healing!  Discovering the Truth that our spouse is our Most Cherished Cross and through embracing that we find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT in our domestic Church/family.  And foremost each year we pass from the celebration of the Passion/Good Friday to Easter JOY!  We see with eyes of Faith the coming of LIFE into the world by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God!

 Light entered the world after the tomb and death brought darkness beyond telling - no wonder they were experiencing fear - Jesus tells us "Do not be afraid.  Go tell..."  Yes, we have a message to share with the world - "Hallelujah!  There is no need to stay in the darkness of fear and death - He is risen and is there to walk with you or carry you when you are down and weak and weary after the battle of the Cross in our lives."  May we carry this forth in all that we do and say as Easter People!

Soon we will welcome new life - our newest grandson in June!

Jesus, we are holding onto your feet this day and gazing up at your face - You are alive - risen from the dead!  Death had no hold over You, and You are here with us showing us that we too can overcome the Cross of pain and suffering in our lives!  How do we pay you homage?  These two Marys sang for all the world to hear of your might, and majesty, and glory, and Truth, and wisdom, and miraculous LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT that fills the world that was once dark and full of death, and that they could be touching you in the flesh, and knowing that you are God come to save us, and trusting in your saving power and forgiveness in all that tries to hold us down, and filled to overflowing with their LOVE for you and with you and in you, and washing your feet with their tears of JOY, LOVE, freedom from all fears, release from bondage... this morning at breakfast I was crying as I talked to John- "I don't know why I am crying, and you know me - I am a crier for all reasons."  I have no doubt these women in all the power of emotions were crying their hearts out!  Washing his nailscarred feet with their copious tears and drying them with their hair!  How do you give enough homage to the King of the world?  By going forth armed with the Holy Spirit within to share the Good News!  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!!!!

 Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

The Resurrection by Giotto

LORD, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy....
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Jesus, Redeemer of mankind,
Jesus, Conqueror of sin and Satan,
Jesus, triumphant over Death.,
Jesus, the Holy and the Just,
Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life,
Jesus, the Giver of grace,
Jesus, the Judge of the world,

Who didst lay down Thy life for Thy sheep, have mercy on us.
Who didst rise again the third day,
Who didst manifest Thyself to Thy chosen,
Visiting Thy blessed Mother,
Appearing to Magdalen while she wept,
Sending Thy angels to the holy women,
Comforting the Eleven,
Saying to them, Peace,
Breathing on them the Holy Ghost,
Confirming the faith of Thomas,
Committing Thy flock to Peter,
Speaking of the Kingdom of God,

We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may walk in newness of life, we beseech Thee hear us.
That we may advance in the knowledge of Thee,
That we may grow in grace,
That we may ever have the bread of life,
That we may persevere unto the end,
That we may have confidence before Thee at Thy coming,
That we may behold Thy face with joy,
That we may be placed at Thy right hand in the judgment.
That we may have our lot with the saints,

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, 0 Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, 0 Lord..
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ is risen, Alleluia.
He is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon, Alleluia.

 

Let us pray.

0 God, who by Thy only-begotten Son hast overcome death, and opened for us the way to eternal life, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, so to confirm us by Thy grace, that we may in all things walk after the manner of those who have been redeemed from their sins, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Thank you Venerable John Henry Newman for this Litany of the Resurrection - we cannot have enough today to remind us of how we are blessed and brought to LIFE as Easter People!

Easter people by a children's choir

Danielle Rose - Nothing compares to you