Let us receive the special grace of this moment. We pause in reverent silence before this empty tomb in order to rediscover the grandeur of our Christian vocation: we are men and women of the resurrection, not of death. From this place we learn how to live our lives, the trials of our churches and of the whole world, in the light of Easter morning. Every injury, every one of our pains and sorrows, has been borne on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd who offered himself in sacrifice and thereby opened the way to eternal life. His open wounds are like the cleft through which the torrent of his mercy is poured out upon the world. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the basis of our hope, which is this: Christos anesti! Let us not deprive the world of the joyful message of the resurrection! And let us not be deaf to the powerful summons to unity that rings out from this very place, in the words of the One who, risen from the dead, calls all of us
“My brothers” (Pope Francis, The Gospel of Matthew—a Spiritual and Pastoral Reading p 239).
Become silent, aware of the awesome presence of God who never ceases to be with us.
Bless yourself in the + Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall, world without end. Amen.
Here I am Lord, I come to do your will Read: Psalm 117: 1-2,16-17, 22-23
Personal Prayer and recollection; As well as thanking and giving praise to God, we remind ourselves of the needs of our family, friends, community, wider world and we remember especially all those affected by Covid-19 and we remember our own personal needs.
We know that you are with us Lord. You never leave us or abandon us in our need. I now open my ears and my heart to listen to your voice coming to me through the Holy Gospel.
Read: The Holy Gospel according to John 20:1-9
Silent meditation on the Gospel: Is there a sentence or paragraph that seems to resonate with me? What is my reaction to it?
Maybe read over that part of the text a couple of times, reflecting and praying with it. If you wish you can use the Lectio Divina process outlined here.
Give thanks to God for what he has revealed to you during your prayer time.
Conclude your prayer time with: Our Father; Hail Mary; Glory be.
Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Look upon your Church, O God, with unfailing love and favour, So that, renewed by the paschal mysteries, she may come to the Glory of the resurrection.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Happy Easter!!!
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Wednesday of Holy Week 8 April
