EASTER - Part One

VOICES of EASTER

The Resurrection of Jesus. When the Sabbath was over, a Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.   Mark 16:

CONSIDERATIONS FOR MEDITATION

• Of all the claims of certainty in this life, it is here, at the grave, where they all meet. The famous and the infamous, the powerful and the poor, great minds and simple, nonbeliever and believer alike, all come to this final place where everything known is sealed behind the stone. 
• "Who will roll away the stone?" The stone, the last word of human certainty. Is there More?
• Three woman know what neither seats of power nor circles of learning can know with certainty.
• Is it the stone rolled back? The guards assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day. Mtt. 28:11
• It is the VOICES you hear from witnesses: The angel said  “Do not be afraid! .... you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
• It is the VOICE of your own heart: Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples.
• It is the VOICE of Jesus coming in grace: ... 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."
• And so there three:

           1. the voices of witnesses - 

           2. the inner spiritual voices calling -

           3. the encounter with Jesus entering in and speaking to your heart -  
               grace without cause.

Each day of the Easter week is the one Easter day. Many are the voices to hear. listen attentively and watch as they role away the Stone.

........................................footnotes......................................

Review again the structure of this approach to prayer:

• PLACE: choosing a place with a measure of quiet and solitude.
• PRESENCE: entering this prayer expecting to be guided by Grace.
• PETITION: asking for the graces that will make this prayer fruitful.
• PASSAGE: preparing a passage of scripture for reflection.
• PRAYER: entering the passage, looking, listening, imagining you are there,    focusing on various persons, collecting your thoughts, feelings, reaction. 
• PRAISE and thanks: closing with a prayer formed in your own words, as one speaking face to face to another; expressing your gratitude for the blessings and guidance received in this prayer time.