Readings and Themes for the Week of April 04, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of April 04, 2010,
Easter

Reading Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Peter is an eyewitness: The Lord is risen.

Psalm 118

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad."

Reading II Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

All who are baptized, set your hearts in heaven. Christ our Passover is sacrificed: Out with the old, in with the new.

Gospel: John 20:1-9

Three witnesses, Mary, Peter, and John, each in her or his way respond to the empty tomb.

THEME:

We are a resurrection people!

Today we follow Mary of Magdala, Peter, and John to the tomb where we find the stone rolled away. Sharing their amazement, we find that the tomb is empty. That empty tomb stands as an everlasting sign of hope – hope for a world free from fear, free from sin, free from death. As God’s word is proclaimed, let us be filled with joy and gladness on this Easter day.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

What is good and new in your life?

Question for Youth:

Resurrection reminds us that what looks bad can lead to something good.

What has resurrected or gone from bad to good in your life over the past year?

Question for Adults:

In what way have you risen from "deadness" in your life?

Stewardship
Easter Sunday
The Lord has truly been raised.
He was made known to us in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:13-35

The location of Emmaus has not been definitely established. Two sites northwest of Jerusalem make strong claims. One is approximately seven miles from Jerusalem, as reported in Luke’s gospel, the other is approximately twenty miles, but makes a stronger case. The disciples that encountered Jesus would have left Jerusalem early in the morning. Walking at a brisk pace they could cover twenty miles in one day. They do not recognize Jesus, but are impressed with his knowledge of Scripture. They urge him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over. “It would be nice to know the location of Emmaus, but it is much more important that the two disciples realized, “Our hearts were burning within us?” They recognized Jesus as the Risen Lord in the Breaking of the Bread and rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others. Do we recognize Jesus as the Risen Lord in the Breaking of the Bread? Do we rush out to tell others? This Easter is a good time to start to do that!

Stewardship Expressions

Consider what you have learned in Lent and Easter. Have you realized a new appreciation for Christ’s life, death and resurrection in direct relationship to your life and eternal future? How will you continue to appreciate and develop this special bond of love that Christ extends to each person?

A steward is grateful for God’s love and returns love abundantly.