Monday - a time of joy

When we hear happy news,   our hearts jump for joy.  When we see a specatular meteor showers like this weekend,  our hearts leap for joy.    Joy is one of the gifts of God.  This gift of joy is contagious and can easily be shared with our friends and family.

Monday Retreat....
Prayer:  Great God as we read of the resurrection this day,  we give You thanks and praise for those who worship You!   For the Church: that we may offer patient and gentle care to all who find life’s journey burdensome.  For the grace to slow down and be aware of the gifts and graces that God offers us each day.  For all who exercise leadership: that they may place their gifts unselfishly in the service of others and be guided to draw forth the gifts of those around them.  This we ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Read St. Matthew 28: 1 -  10

After the Sabbath,  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to sit at the tomb to pay tribute and honour to Jesus, as was the custom.

Suddenly  the earth moved under their feet.  When they looked up,  one of God’s  angels had come from heaven.  The angel rolled the stone away and said to the women, “Fear Not!  Jesus is not here.  He was raised, just as he said.”   

Angels are messengers from God.  Today we see so many pictures of angels that we think all angels are cute looking.  Yet in the Bible each time an angel comes to bring news from God,  the first words out of their mouths is, “Fear not!”  

The angel rolled the stone away not to let Jesus out but to prove to the women that Jesus had risen from the dead.

The angel tells the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus is risen from the dead.  What great joy the women must have felt.  Jesus is alive!

As the women are on their way to tell the disciples what has happened,  they are stopped by Jesus.  Jesus tells the women to tell the disciples that they are all to meet Jesus in Galilee.  What great joy!  The disciples too will see Jesus and know that he is alive!

With the same joy of knowing that Jesus is raised from the dead,  this day go and tell everyone you meet of the Good News of Jesus…. through your words and your example.

Prayer:  Holy God,  Holy Mighty,  Holy Immortal One,  have mercy upon us.  Holy God,  Holy Mighty,  Holy Immortal One,  grant us Your peace.  Holy God,  Holy Mighty,  Holy Immortal One,  grant us Your love.  Amen.