Easter Sunday

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

You conquered death to make us new.

Let us work to die to the things of this world

so we may better reflect your love to others.

Help us to be renewed by the trials we face

so we proclaim Your Word through our lives.

Fill us with kindness, tenderness, peace, humility and joy.

Alleluia!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 10:34a, 37-43

• How do you define the word witness? Do you define it as a noun (person) or a verb (an action)?  What is the difference?
• What can you learn from Peter in this reading? What example does he set that we should learn to follow?

Colossians 3:1-4 OR 1Corinthians 5:6b-8

• How do you rise like Christ this Easter season?
• What does it mean to seek what is above? What does this look like?  Write three practical ways you can seek what is above this Easter Season.

 John 20:1-9

• Put yourself in the place of the women who came to anoint Jesus’ body. What are your reactions?  Would you feel fear?  Confusion?  What would you do?  Who would you tell?  What words would you use?
• What does this scripture reveal about Jesus? About his disciples?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Has the journey of Lent helped to strengthen your faith? How?
• Did you gain a new perspective on a problem or struggle you have in your life right now through prayer, almsgiving and/or fasting?
• What brings you peace? Describe the feeling of peace/peacefulness.  Would you say peace is a state of mind or a feeling of the heart?  Is it something that is given to you or something you work for?
• Do you ever experience feelings of confusion? Have you ever been paralyzed by feelings of fear?  What was the circumstance and how were you able to overcome or get past these feelings?
• Are you carrying around “dead weight” such as hurt feelings or a burden that is not yours to carry?
• Do you hide Christ in your life? In your conversations?  In your home?  What can you do to reveal him?
• Jesus overcomes death on Easter. What do you believe will happen when you die?  What feelings do you have about death?
• How does Jesus live on? How can we find comfort in Jesus’ resurrection?
• Is there anything you are looking forward to during the Easter season?
• Are there things you can continue to work on (using prayer, almsgiving and fasting as your guide) for the next six weeks? Why do these Lenten practices have to only be practiced during Lent?
• Easter is a day of joy. Consider how you can share the joy of Easter with others.  How can you make the joy of Easter last longer than one day?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  What was hidden;

ALL:  has been revealed!

Leader:  What was broken;

 ALL:  has been healed!

Leader:  What was lost;

ALL:  has been found!

Leader:  What was sin;

ALL:  has been forgiven!

Leader:  What was buried;

ALL:  has come to life!

Leader:  What was crucified;

ALL:  has been resurrected!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Jesus was believed to be dead.  The disciples buried him in a tomb.  After three days his broken body was healed and he was radiant.  Imagine you could go away for three days and get away from any pressures, stress and obligations.  What would you do?  How would you spend your time?  How would you pamper yourself to relieve stress?  What conversations would you have with God about your life?  Take time for a mini retreat, even if it is only for 5 minutes to step away from your life and let the joy of Easter and Jesus’ resurrection spark a renewal within!

OR

Consider what moves you to feel compassion.  Is it when you see suffering?  When someone is sick or dying?  When you know someone is doing without or is lonely or alone?  Pope Francis calls us to act on our feelings of compassion and to go to the aid or service of others.  Make it a point this week to intentionally show compassion toward someone.  Go visit a shut-in, send a note to someone who may be feeling lonely, volunteer, help your neighbor who is need, the options are endless.  Go forth and show someone compassion; may they see the risen Christ in YOU!