Easter Meditation

Almighty God, by whose Word Space and Time came into being and take their course, grant us the peace to be still, to reflect on the past, to rest in this moment and to embrace the life that is yet to be. Heal in us memories of fear, failure and sadness, help us to hold fast to all our treasured knowledge of You, and keep us open to all You have yet to give us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen

We begin by remembering the birth of Jesus, not in the context of Christmas with all the tinsel and the nonsense of Santa Claus, but thinking of the young, bewildered and very pregnant woman in a strange town with nowhere to stay. She gives birth in a stable and we come to her, and her baby, like the shepherds...

A story of Saint Francis and the new young Friar.

Like his master Saint Francis often went off to pray alone, sometimes all night. A new young friar doubted this devotion and followed Francis. To his amazement he saw Francis speaking to the Virgin Mary. She had Jesus in her arms and offered the Baby to Francis to hold. The young friar fainted from shock and Francis found him in that state early the next morning. Eventually the young friar was revived and encouraged to confess. When Francis heard what he had seen he forbade the young friar ever to tell of it until after Francis' death.

Prayer: Will you, dear Mary allow us to hold your Son in our arms, He who later said: Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.
We pray with: People who find loving difficult; those who are separated from the ones they love; people who are homeless, lonely, sad, depressed or alienated from life. (Silence) Fill your mind with the presence of someone you know who needs your love and place your fingers on the picture of baby Jesus: With Saint Francis or in this picture which foretells His future

Loving Jesus, born a defenceless baby, I cradle you to myself and love those you would have me love. Teach me how to love in Your name. Encourage me in new adventures of love. Accompany me as I love in maturity. Wait for me as I gather experience of loving and be ready to enfold me at the last. Amen.

We pray with: families who long for release from debt and despair; the lonely who long for love; the unloving who need forgiveness; the rejected who long to belong and the isolated who dream of lost loved ones. Come Holy Spirit of Jesus: touch their hurt, heal their pain, tend their wounds and bring the World's people together into Your love that knows no bounds. Amen

We pray with: People who fear the dreams of others: for older people afraid of the challenge of the next generation and younger people despising the wisdom of years; for all who fear the different ways of life and values embraced by others. Fill your mind with the people you meet day by day, those who live near you and especially the people closest to you. Let your imagination move from person to person, noting their differences, and your feelings about them.

Towards the end of his life St Francis, who was very ill, prayed that as far as was possible he should feel the suffering of Jesus in his own body. He received the Stigmata: the signs of the Crucifixion nails in his hands and his feet. The picture imagines Francis embracing the crucified Christ.

We pray with: People who helplessly wait out the suffering of loved ones: families and friends of people with chronic or terminal illnesses; carers for people with mental illness or dementia; all of us as we witness people's suffering on the news every evening. Bring to mind the television pictures you have seen of suffering dying hungry people and, if you dare, touch the picture of Jesus on the Cross.

Hymn: In the Cross of Christ I glory, towering over the wrecks of time........... (HP 167)

We pray with people in various forms of imprisonment: people serving time for their crimes; political prisoners, held by unjust regimes; people imprisoned in abusive or violent relationships; all those who are enslaved by addiction and long for release. And people who are held in the chains of their own certainties. Visualize the tomb of Jesus. Let silence well up inside you. Think of the heavy stone, blocking the tomb mouth with shafts of failing light around its edges, heavy with the despair of death.

Jesus conquered death and so made life more important for everyone who believes in Him. We pray with: people on the verge of making a new start; people preparing for marriage or commitment to a relationship; people expecting the arrival of a new baby; people recovering from illness or otherwise beginning on a new lease of life. People longing for a break or a change of fortune. Let God fill your mind with forgiveness and love. Hear again the words of grace: Your sins are forgiven. Hear also the words of promise: Behold I am with you always. Open your heart to the chance to start again.

Beginning today, Lord Jesus, we are children again, free from sin and doubt, belonging to You in love, Beginning today, Lord Jesus, we embrace Your presence in our own lives, past present and future. Beginning today, Lord Jesus, we claim the abundant life You promised and with you we say Your prayer to Your Father and ours......

Final Prayer:
Lord Jesus as You treasure each of us help us to treasure each other. And, as we treasure each other help us to treasure You above all. Amen

Meditation for Good Friday and Easter

Opening Prayer

A story of Saint Francis and the new young Friar.