Easter Sunday
47. Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
There are versions of Christianity for which the Resurrection of Jesus is a not very necessary addition to his death. In such theories, the death of Jesus was a human sacrifice which atoned for human sin. However, this theory sits rather badly with the life of Jesus which was spent healing people and even bringing the dead back to life. Jesus wants to love people into life rather than encourage suffering and death.
St Ignatius ends his Spiritual Exercises with a series of prayers on the appearances of Jesus to his followers after his Resurrection. He encourages us to pray for the joy that the risen Lord experienced. It is to be hoped that when we undertake the Spiritual Exercises we end them with an experience of joy in the risen Christ and a deep desire to serve God and our neighbour.
The Resurrection reveals to us that death is not the end, that there is life beyond death.
St Paul makes this very clear in his first letter to the people of Corinth.
A Thought to ponder
Pray to God today that over the coming season of Easter you may experience joy with a great desire to reach out in love to God, to those you meet and to all of creation.
Scripture for the Day
As a way of praying today’s Scripture we suggest Lectio Divina
1 Corinthians 15: 20-26 NRSVACE
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.
For since death came through a human being,
the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being;
for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.
But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father,
after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Today is the last day of our retreat. If you have found it helpful, then please consider making a donation to help support the production of this retreat, and retreats in the future.
Music for Today
THINE BE THE GLORY – New Scottish Hymns Band
Purchase more of the music of New Scottish Hymns Band
Follow-Up
We suggest that as a follow-up to this retreat you may like to take part in an individually guided retreat.
We offer these both online and in person.