Easter Prayer
God our Father, by raising Christ your Son you conquered the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. Let our celebration today raise us up and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Searching in the empty tomb?
In the Gospel narrative during the Easter Vigil we heard Mary Magdalene and Mary went to see the Lord´s body in the tomb. But they could not find His body. It was an empty tomb.
Where do I seek the Lord? Do I find Him when I seek Him?
Prophet Elijah did not experience God in the great wind, earthquake or fire, but in the sheer silence „ (1 Kg 19.11,12). When we have the serenity of our heart, love, joy and peace, it is easier for us to experience Him.
Through Prophet Jeremiah the Lord says: „When you search for me you will find me, when you search for me with your whole heart“ (29.13). Yes, the Lord is faithful to His promise; when we seek Him with our whole heart we will find Him. The Risen Lord is spirit and is dwelling within us. I only need to turn to Him in the silence of my heart. When we love Jesus and keep His Word, Jesus and Father make their home in us (Jn 14.23). And we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3.16). The Triune God is dwelling within us. So Jesus said: When you pray, go to your room and pray to the Father who is dwelling there in secret“ (Mt 6.6).
Through Prophet Isaiah the Lord says: „Come my people, enter your chambers, and shut the door behind you“ (26.20)
„In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength“ (30.15)
Amidst the busy schedule of our lives, let us strive to experience the Living Lord within us.
The loving God has created the beautiful world for us and in the whole creation we can experience Him. But when we confront and befriend Him within the cave of our heart, we realise that the world within is much more beautiful than the world outside. Then we can truly sing: „Heaven is in my heart“.
Mary Pereira