Holy Spirit of God, help me stay grounded in your truth and love and seek the things that are above…

John 20:1-18 & Colossians 3, 1-3
 
Sorrow and sadness can either dash or develop our Hope in God.  As a woman healed by Jesus, Mary Magdalene was grounded in the steadfast love of God through Christ as she followed him during his ministry and accompanied him through his Passion and crucifixion. It is no wonder then, that she circled back around to his tomb at least twice that first Easter day. While it was still dark she, alone, discovered that the tomb was empty and rushed off to give the news that was bad – but actually, good! – to the disciples.  After she hurriedly returned with Peter and John who confirmed the situation, she hung back while they ran off to spread the ‘latest news update’. Rather than becoming part of the rumor mill she stayed with her grief In the garden.  In the depths of her sorrow, deepened by the disappearance of the body, she waited and stayed as close as possible to the last resting place of her Master, remembering his steadfast love and promises. It was in this context of deep grief and shards of hope, that she recognized her Master’s voice when he called her by name. This was indeed the news of the hour:  Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again -to the disciples in Galilee and to all those who have follow Him through the ages.  With spirited steps Mary rushed off to tell the others the ‘real news’ that Christ was risen from the dead, just as He said.  When grief dashes us to the ground will we rush off with the facts and spread a gory version of the story?  Or will we, like Mary Magdalene, no matter how weighed down by grief we are, be so grounded in the Grace  of Christ Jesus that we stay with the promises of God’s steadfast love and seek the things above? Holy Spirit of God, help me stay grounded in your truth and love and seek the things that are above. 
 
O Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever… This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.     Psalm 118
 
Death and life fought bitterly
For this wondrous victory;
The Lord of life who died reigns glorified!
Sequence for the Gospel Reading on Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord
 
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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A Blessed Easter Season to you!
Let this be our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia