Feast of St. Mark
1Peter 5:5-14; Psalm 89: 2-17; Mark 16:15-20

speaking the language
of compassion
forever
we will sing
the goodness
of the Lord
we cast
our worries
upon Him
because He cares
for us
and provides
love and strength
and guidance
for all we must face
in the world
that challenges us
everyday

Do you cast your worries upon the Lord?
Do you speak the language of compassion?

Acts 5:12-16; Psalm 118:2-4 13-15, 22-24; Rev. 1:9-13, 17-19; John 20: 19-31

do not persist
in unbelief
touch
and see
His wound
and rejoice
in the signs
and wonders
the healing power
breathed
by the Holy Spirit
to us
with Him
risen
we have
new life from
the one who holds
the key
to death
how wonderful it is
in our eyes
we were hard pressed
and fallen
yet in God
we are raised up
in mercy
He has become
our strength
and courage
as we live the mercy
we have been given
we give thanks
for His goodness

Do you live the Holy Spirit of the risen Christ?
Are we blest to believe even though we have not seen?

Acts 4: 1-12; Psalm 118: 1-27; John 21: 1-14

again
and again
you come to us
showing yourself
alive
in our lives
some mercy
some healing
some forgiveness
that speaks
of your Presence
that lives
beyond
your cross
beyond your death
a grace
that announces
aha!
yes!
this is the Christ
with us
God with us
Holy Spirit with us
this is the love
upon which we build
our lives

Upon what do you build your life?

Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2,5-9; Luke 24:25-48

opening
our minds
we see Him
alive
among us
beyond
His wounds
and death
fulfilling
a promised word
from God
that we dare
to believe
as we share
His bread
with one another
nourished
on the joy
of God’s presence
we receive
and give
the blessings
of the day

Has the Holy Spirit opened your mind?
Are you nourished by the joy of God’s presence?

Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 105:1-9; Luke 24:13-35

our hearts
are burning
and rejoicing
as we recognize
God within
and among us
sharing
wisdom
life
and bread
so that we
may not feel
abandoned
in a world
that often breeds
fear and greed
hatred and murder
He is our beautiful gate
where we return
to health
forgiven
strong
filled with faith
and love

Where is your beautiful gate?
Who meets you at the beautiful gate?

Acts 1:36-41; Psalms 33:4-5,18-22; John 20:11-18

in emptiness
we weep
thinking
all is lost
until a voice asks
who are you looking for?
hearing God
call our name
we are found
in God’s voice
alive
and well
freed
from death
we live
in the moment
of awakening
to the Goodness
of God
that fills
the earth

Do you hear God call your name?

Acts 2:14:22-33; Psalm 16:1-2,5-11; Matthew 28:8-15

beyond
our understanding
He lives
risen
from any bondage
of sin
and death
living
among us
His Presence
Holy Spirit
showing us
the path of Life
we leave
our fears
and live
in the hope
and joy
of this
Easter moment

Do you live in the joy of this Easter moment?

Acts 10:34, 37-43; Ps. 118;1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4; Cor 5:6-8; John 20: 1-9

she seeks
the tomb
of her sorrow
only to find
stone rolled away
shroud fallen
she cries
“where have they
put my lord”
the empty tomb
answers all
for what God
has given
cannot be put
to death
Son of Man
doer of good
healer
frees the oppression
and rises
in flesh and spirit
above

compassionate judge
of the truth
in our hearts
we stretch
and reach
into the above
into the mind of God
and receive
the bread of life
his life appears
and we are with Him
in Glory

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

How does the Risen Christ live in your life?

Gen : 1-1.1;Gen 1. 1-18;Exod 14.15-15.1; Isa 54 5-13;Isa 55.1-11;Ba3:9-15
Ba 3.32-4.4; Ezek 36.16-28; Romans 6: 3-11; Luke 24. 1-12

in our sorrow
we come to remember
who we are
made in goodness
made for goodness
we remember
the voice of God
whose desire is mercy
not sacrifice
who would save a son
and part the seas
whose enduring love
quenches
our desert thirst
from wisdom’s fountain
we remember
we are made
from eternal life
and light
entering
the darkness of His death
we arise anew
as sea of death
is parted
new heart
new spirit
we no longer seek
the living
among the dead
we live
as the one He loved

Do you remember who you are?
Have you risen with His love?

Before the Vigil

this day
of emptiness
confusion
and longing
His agony
turned
our own
no longer
to hear His voice
feel His touch
follow His step
where has love gone?

He was our Life
our hope
our light
our answer
and now
we are lost
who are we now?

our hearts on fire
with grief
who will
console us
there are no words
for this
our sorrow

to see Him
broken
bleeding
we cry
my God
why have you
forsaken us

this day
this Life
without Him
we cannot bear
day of poverty
when we are nothing
we have nothing
filled
with emptiness
for we have seen
all Love
and now
He is gone

wrapped in His tomb
embraced in darkness
we have died with him
no light
no thought
of life

Have you felt forsaken by God?