Reflection:
Easter Sunday 2025
In this reflection we will explore the resurrection as a symbol of our eternal being and belonging in God that not even death can sever.
Opening music:
Listen to the following as an opening prayer.
Reflection Talk:
Readings:
Read the following through twice or three times, and listen for any word or phrase that seems to be inviting you to linger with it.
Reading 1: Romans 8:38–39
“I am certain of this, neither death nor life, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, not any height nor depth, nor any created thing can ever come between us and the love of God”
Reading 2:
"We are born with a longing, desire, and deep hope that this thing called life could somehow last forever. It is a premonition from something eternal that is already within us. Some would call it the soul. Christians would call it the indwelling presence of God. It is God within us that makes us desire and seek God. Yes, we are going to die, but we have already been given a kind of inner guarantee and promise right now that death is not final—and it takes the form of love."
~ Richard Rohr
Reading 3: When I die (extracts)
When I die
when my coffin
is being taken out
you must never think
i am missing this world
don't shed any tears
don't lament or
feel sorry
i'm not falling
into a monster's abyss
when you see
my corpse is being carried
don't cry for my leaving
i'm not leaving
i'm arriving at eternal love
it looks like the end
it seems like a sunset
but in reality it is a dawn
when the grave locks you up
that is when your soul is freed
have you ever seen
a seed fallen to earth
not rise with a new life
why should you doubt the rise
of a seed named human
~ Rumi
Quiet Prayer
After spending some time with the readings, I invite you to open to this profound eternal mystery now in a time of quiet prayer or meditation, opening to the indescribable mystery of the I Am presence of the risen Christ, with us, among us, within us.
End the time of quiet prayer by listening to the following song:
Lyrics:
Peace, Peace
My peace I leave you
My peace I give you
Peace, Peace
Ending prayer:
i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;
and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday;
this is the birthday of life and of love and wings:
and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any—lifted from the no
of all nothing—human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
~ e e cummings
Ending music:
Lyrics:
Arise my love, my lovely one come
The winter is past and the rains are gone
The flowers appear, it's the season of song
My beautiful one, arise and come with me
Who is it that appears like the dawn?
As fair as the moon, as bright as the sun
Show me your face, let me hear your voice
My beautiful one, arise and come with me
Set me like a seal on your heart
For love is unyielding as the grave
The flash of it is a jealous fire
No flood can quench for love is as strong as death
Arise my love and come with me
Before the dawn breaks and the shadows flee
You ravished my heart with just one glance
My beautiful one, arise and come with me
Set me like a seal on your heart
For love is unyielding as the grave
The flash of it is a jealous fire
No flood can quench for love is as strong as death
Do not arouse or awaken love
Until it so desires
Arise my love, my lovely one come
The winter is past and the rains are gone
The flowers appear, it's the season of song
My beautiful one, arise and come with me
I am my love's, my beloved is mine
Arise and come with me
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