April 15, 2020 | The Risen Lord

Leader: This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Psalm 104
Reader 1: How manifold are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all.

Reader 2: The earth is full of your creatures; Bless the Lord, O my soul! Alleluia.

Reading – Luke 24:28-32
Reader 3: As [the disciples] approached the village to which they were going. [Jesus] gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So, he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Reflection
Leader: Luke’s account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus is one of the most beloved of the post-Resurrection stories in the Gospel. It not only describes their journey, but also their progression from despair to incredible joy when they recognize the Risen Lord at the breaking of the bread. A good meditation for the reader is to “walk with” these two disciples and to sit with them at table in the company of the “stranger.” We are in the presence of the Risen Lord, may our hearts burn within us.

Prayer
Leader: With Easter joy, we pray:
All: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader 1: For the leaders of CommonSpirit Health for wisdom and strength, we pray:
All: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader 2: For those who have lost hope and who need to find comfort again, we pray:
All: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader 3: For those who grieve that they find hope in the Risen Lord, we pray:
All: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader 4: For those who struggle with diminishing abilities, may they not be discouraged, we pray:

All: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.

All: Personal Petitions:

Reader 5: The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father…

Closing Prayer
Reader 6: Loving and eternal God, you have sealed a new covenant of faithfulness and justice through sacrifice and justice through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. As we celebrate the resurrection, grant that we may rejoice in knowing that one day we shall enjoy forever the banquet of the heavenly kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, you son who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Leader: This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Peace be with you all and have a wonderful week!