Gospel Lesson for the Week

March 23, 2008

EASTER DAY

Please read

John 20:1-18

Read also

Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2

Psalm 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

--- John 20:1

.       While It Was Still Dark      .

(A Relay Online encore selection)

While it was still dark,

while death still reigned

and sadness was triumphant

and hope had fled the scene,

she came,

not really knowing why,

except for a forlorn and futile

sense of loyalty.

…And yet she came.

Not knowing why,

so often in our lives

we play the part,

going through the motions.

It’s better than giving up

and giving in to bleak despair,

and so while it’s still dark

we go our grim uncertain way.

And then the miracle takes place.

Into our darkness

comes the light, the Light,

the One whom we at first

don’t recognize.

He meets us on the way,

and suddenly all the world

becomes a garden

of beauty and delight.

It happens

when we step out into the darkness,

not knowing…

Whenever daunting darkness veils our way

The Risen Christ can turn that night to day.

---  rvc

Christ is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

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*** D I S C L A I M E R ***

The Weekly Lessons are based on the lectionary texts for the week – usually the Gospel lesson. They are not designed as a formal commentary.  Rather, they are the personal reflections and original compositions of The Relay Online editor, Rev. Robin Van Cleef, and offer a jumping off point, using the scriptures as triggers to thought, imagination, and (we hope) empowerment.  As you read them, let your own imagination play, and let the Spirit speak to you, leading you where it will.  The Gospel Lessons reflected on this site may not be copied, reproduced or otherwise manipulated elsewhere on the internet without the expressed consent of the author.  Please also note that while we're unable to quote Bible scripture on these pages, it is permissible to redirect our viewers to Bible passages using hyperlinks to web sites having that authority.  The Verse Of The Day and BibleGateway Search engine are the property on BibleGateway.com and are used here with their specific permission.

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