We Are Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish

Wondering
What drew Mary back to the tomb? What went through her mind as she looked into the tomb? What was going through it as she ran back to Simon Peter and the disciple Jesus loved - probably John who recorded this account of the resurrection?

Contemplating
You might like to spend a few minutes reading the Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be especially significant. How might God be speaking to you? You might like to jot down any thoughts in a spiritual journal.

or...

Spend a few minutes building the scene. It can be helpful to put yourself in the shoes of a film director working to recapture the atmosphere of the scene. You could even sketch out the scene. What would the scenery be like? Where do the main characters appear from? How are they behaving? Are there any "extras" - and where are they - what are they doing? Then, try to put yourself into one of the characters to see how it might have seemed to them... how might they have been feeling?

Reflecting
Of all outcomes, this was the least expected - how could the empty tomb be explained? This was beyond their experience.
How might some of the feelings of those in the Gospel be echoed in some people in the diocese?
Pray for those for whom this time is a period of confusion and fear.

Praying
Mary of Magdala,
woman at the tomb.
You did not yet know what awaited you
but felt confusion - doubt and loss.
Pray for those whose feelings you so well understand.
Guide us through your story
to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

Wondering
What do the people watching the disciples make of seeing two grown men running through the streets? What might have been going through the disciples' minds as they ran? How might those feelings be reflected in yourself - or in people close to you?

Contemplating
Spend a few minutes reading the Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be especially significant to you. What might God be saying to you? If you are using a spiritual journal, add any thoughts or insights.

or...

Spend a few minutes building the scene. Use the film-director approach if that worked yesterday or allow the scene to build in your imagination. What new insights emerge as you contemplate this part of the story?

Reflecting
Often people will tell us something but we sense the need to go and see for ourselves. Many things go through our minds - all sorts of possibilities - we can get carried away by our imaginations. 
Pray for those who may be caught up in "fearing the worst" -

Praying
Mary of Magdala,
as you ran back to the tomb you knew to be empty,
your heart and mind were in turmoil.

Pray for those who fear the worst -
who are troubled by what might be.
Guide us through your story
to the promise that all shall be well.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

Wondering
Why did the disciple Jesus loved wait even though he had seen the linen wrappings? What might have been going through his mind? What about Peter? What was his reaction to what he saw? What gave him the courage to go into the tomb of one who had been dead for two days

Contemplating
Spend a few minutes reading the Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be especially significant. Why might the word or phrase be important? Make a mental note of any insights or jot down any thoughts in your spiritual journal.

or...

Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way is helpful - in the shoes of a film director - or sketching the scene. What insights do you get from the action in this part of the story? How are people reacting as it unfolds? 

Reflecting
There is a time for waiting - and a time for finding the courage to act in ways we would not have thought possible. 
Pray for those for whom this is a time of waiting ... and for those for whom it is time to find the courage to do things they do not yet think they can.

Praying
Mary of Magdala,
you waited at the foot of the cross -
but found courage to return to the tomb to anoint your Lord.
Pray for those who wait - 
and those finding the courage to act.
Guide us all through your story 
to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...