Second Sunday of Easter

 

Opening Prayer

Living God,

You speak and life begins.

You breathe and the wind blows.

You whisper and thunder sounds.

May I find humility

and open myself to you!

Let your WORD fill me

and leave me satisfied!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 2:42-47

• What is your first memory of gathering to break the bread at church? What do you remember about the experience?  Things you saw, smelt, touched, feelings?
• How can you carry the Easter joy on? What wisdom can this scripture offer to help?

 1 Peter 1:3-9

• What is the inheritance Jesus left for you? Has it already been given or is there an appointed time?  What do you, do with it?
• Describe the joy you feel at Easter. When are other times you feel this joy?

 John 20:19-31

• What sins do you carry? Are they your own or someone else’s?  Where does forgiveness need to come from?
• Are there things about your faith which you doubt sometimes? Have you ever doubted God?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you gather to celebrate and remember?
• Are there times when you don’t feel like celebrating?  What are those things that keep you from celebrating?
• What happens when you forget about the joy of Easter?
• How do you share what you have with others?
• Are there things you don’t need?  Why do you keep them?
• Can you ever give too much?  Share an example.
• Describe your perfect meal.  What would be served?  Who would be there?  Where would you be?
• What hope comes from the resurrection?  On a scale from 1-10, how much hope do you have?
• What do you hope for?  Be specific.
• How do you experience peace?  Are there specific circumstances?  It peace a place?  A feeling?  Is it a state of mind?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Give thanks….

ALL:  God’s mercy is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s strength is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

 ALL:  God’s joy is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s wonders are everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s glory is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s salvation is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s love is everlasting!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  In the Catholic Church, Easter is not one day, it is a season.  It begins at the Easter Vigil, celebrated the night before Easter Sunday.  This celebration is special because through scripture, ritual, prayer and sacrament people of all ages are welcomed into the church.  It is an experience like no other full of sights, smells, sounds and touches your soul.  The Easter Season lasts for six weeks, with several other specific celebrations to help us to carry this feeling with us; it could be compared to a honeymoon stage of a newly married couple.  However, like every newlywed couple, the excitement may fade a little in the daily routine of life but there is still a joy which comes when we see a couple who have been married for many years who clearly love each other deeply.  This is the challenge for us this Easter.  How can you find this deep love and feel the Easter joy even in the everyday routine of scripture, prayer, ritual and sacrament?  Perhaps it is as simple as remembering that none of those things (scripture, prayer, ritual and sacrament) are ordinary.