Easter

Sunday, April 11th Readings

Divine Mercy Sunday Readings

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You breathed into us at creation,

You sent YOUR Son to breathe with us,

You left YOUR Spirit to fill us with the breath of life.

May we show gratitude for this gift you have given

        so when we breathe in we are aware of you filling us!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 4:32-35

  • What specifically motivated the early Christians to act in this way?
  • Are there people you know who need something which you are unwilling to give? How can this scripture help you move towards giving?

1 John 5:1-6

  • Do you believe you love God in the same way God loves you? Why or why not?
  • The scripture says the commandments are not burdensome.  Do you agree or disagree?  How might one NOT find them burdensome?
  • Draw a picture of this scripture. How does this look to you? Is there a straight timeline of love or does it start with God in the middle and split off from there or is it a complete circle or something else entirely?

John 20:19-31

  • Are there sins (your own or others) which you are withholding forgiveness? What image or phrase from the scripture can you use to begin to let go of these sins you harbor?
  • What is the significance of Jesus breathing on the disciples and those gathered? How does this personally affect you and your life?
  • When have you, like Thomas doubted Jesus?  Perhaps it was doubt of His existence or doubt of His presence?

General Questions for Journaling

  • We can sometimes have a hard time sharing our possessions.  What lesson can we learn from those early Christians about our possessions?
  • Who are the needy around you?  Is there someone in need within your reach?  What can you do to help satisfy their need?
  • How does your life bear witness to Christ?
  • How does your church or place or worship bear witness to Christ?
  • How does/can your workplace/school bear witness to Christ?
  • How does your home/family bear witness to Christ?
  • How does love change?  Do you love a baby differently than a toddler or a teenager or an adult person?  Explain.
  • Does God’s love for us change based on our circumstances or actions?  Why or why not?  Does God ask for us to do anything to earn love from him?
  • Is there something about faith which you struggle with believing or agreeing? What action should you take to learn more about it? How can you come to a better understanding instead of accepting unbelief?
  • What does through the “water and spirit” mean to you? What is your personal story involving the “water and spirit”?
  • How does the “water and spirit” come alive in your life and help you witness Christ’s love?
  • Jesus died and conquered death, how does this truth affect your faith right now?
  • How can you carry the promises of Easter on throughout the Easter Season and the rest of the year?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  At birth God breathed life

ALL:  giving me a life line.

Leader:  Comfort found in a hug

ALL:  giving me a life line.

Leader: A friend who understands

ALL:  giving me a life line.

Leader:  Forgiveness of my sins

ALL:  giving me a life line.

Leader:  Peace within the chaos

ALL:  giving me a life line.

Leader:  Death births salvation

ALL:  giving me a life line.

Challenge for the Week:  Why is it that in the worst of times, the best of people is revealed?  Why do people feel drawn to help others more willingly when there is pain or suffering?  If you hear of a family who has experienced a tragic event, you send a card, make a phone call or organize people to provide meals; whatever you can to help ease the pain.  It can be a death in the family, a cancer diagnosis or even the loss of a job.  I remember the way it felt after the 9-11 attack; there was a common spirit throughout the country.  We had all experienced a traumatic loss and every person you walked past in the store or rode the elevator with shared that same desire to rise from the ashes of the devastating experience.  A nation united.  This is how I imagine the first Christians; everyone reaching out to help, to give what they can to provide comfort for those grieving and doing it without greed or thoughts of what they would receive in return.  They acted out of pure compassion and generosity.  So again I ask why is it that the worst of times, the best of people is revealed.  This Easter season, what can you do to create this atmosphere in your own life?  Imagine what could happen if you begin to sow the seeds of compassion and generosity within yourself, how it could grow to your family and others in your life!

Sunday, April 4th Readings

Easter Sunday Readings

Opening Prayer

Jesus

Where would I be without you?

What would happen if I couldn’t find you?

How different would my life be?

The disciples know.

They saw you broken and bleeding,

        dead and lain in the tomb.

But you conquered death

        so I wouldn’t have to know.

Thank you Lord Jesus for your sacrifice!

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 10:34, 37-43

  • How are you a witness to Christ? When and/or where have you been a witness to God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, teachings? How did the experience impact you?
  • What can you learn from Peter’s example in this scripture?
  • To whom is Peter speaking? How is the Peter in this scripture different than the one who denied Jesus in last week’s scripture? What has changed?

Colossians 3:1-4

  • Where do you see compassion? Is it alive in the world today?
  • When one seeks what “is above” what do they seek? Can you see it?
  • What death mean to you? Is it possible to die a little at a time? Why or why not?

Mark 16:1-7

  • Define, “see and believe”.
  • Who will you share the “Good News” of Jesus’ resurrection? Who in your life needs to hear it?

General Questions for Journaling

  • What words do you use to define love? How is it measured in your life?
  • Share a time when God amazed you!
  • Have you ever been asked to testify to something? How is it the same or different than testifying to your faith? Explain.
  • What is the definition of witness? Is a witness called to action? Explain.
  • How does belief in God/Jesus/Holy Spirit give you strength? Share ways you are able to sustain this strength.
  • Where can you find consolation when you are feeling confused or depressed? Where have you been able to find consolation?
  • Where do you see a need for compassion in your community right now? Is there something you can do?
  • What emotion does the Easter season fill you with? How can this emotion work for the good of others?
  • What happens when you are being sincere, but others don’t believe you? How do you deal with this? What does God call you to do?
  • When you see someone who is suffering, do you do something? In what cases do you help and which do you back away?
  • When has fear paralyzed you from reaching a goal?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Praise to YOU Lord Jesus Christ…

ALL:  for you are all things good!

Leader:  Praise to YOU Lord Jesus Christ…

ALL:  for your mercy endures forever!

Leader: Praise to YOU Lord Jesus Christ…

ALL:  for you have been exalted!

Leader:  Praise to YOU Lord Jesus Christ…

ALL:  for your love never ends!

Leader:  Praise to YOU Lord Jesus Christ…

ALL:  for you are a promise fulfilled!

Leader:  Praise to YOU Lord Jesus Christ…

ALL:  for you have died for me!

Leader:  Praise to YOU Lord Jesus Christ…

ALL:  for you bring me NEW LIFE!

Challenge for the Week:  For years I have overlooked the sacrifice and courage it took for the women who anointed Jesus’ body to actually do so.  It has been one of those small details which I’ve really not paid any attention to and have taken for granted.  Perhaps you are like me in coming to this understanding for the first time.  The challenge this week is to dive into what it meant for these women to prepare Jesus for burial.  This tradition was sacred and required much time and attention to detail out of respect.  Did they simply act out of obligation to the law?  Where they showing compassion for Jesus?  How come the authorities allowed the women to do this?  What if the women would have been too afraid to ask?  When have you ever acted out of compassion or fought to do the right thing despite the cost or potential punishment?  During this HOLY WEEK, spend some time reflecting on what the action of these women means to you, means to the church and what can we learn from their actions.