Lectio Divina for and the of Easter

We begin our prayer:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the became like dead men. Ten the angel said Holy Spirit. Amen. to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking the cruci- Almighty ever-living God, fed. He is not here, for he has been raised who gave us the Paschal Mystery just as he said. Come and see the place in the covenant you established where he lay. Ten go quickly and tell his for reconciling the human race, disciples, ‘He has been raised from the so dispose our minds, we pray, dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; that what we celebrate by professing the there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told faith you.” Ten they went away quickly from we may express in deeds. the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to Trough our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, announce this to his disciples. And behold, who lives and reigns with you in the unity Jesus met them on their way and greeted of the Holy Spirit, them. Tey approached, embraced his feet, one God, for ever and ever. and did him homage. Ten Jesus said to (Collect, Friday in the Octave of Easter) them, “Do not be afraid. Reading (Lectio) Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Read the following Scripture two or three times. Matthew 28:1-10 Meditation (Meditatio) Afer the reading, take some time to refect in silence on Afer the sabbath, as the frst day of the one or more of the following questions: was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And • What word or words in this passage caught behold, there was a great earthquake; for an your attention? angel of the Lord descended from heaven, • What in this passage comforted you? approached, rolled back the stone, and sat • What in this passage challenged you? upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. Te If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group, guards were shaken with fear of him and afer the refection time, invite the participants to share their responses. Contemplation (Contemplatio) Prayer (Oratio) Read the scripture passage again, followed by Read the scripture passage one more time. Bring to the this refection: Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word How does this passage connect with the experience of inspires in you. your daily life? Afer all have had a chance to make their prayer, all I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucifed. Where recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following: do I seek Jesus? What do I expect to fnd? How does Closing Prayer: Jesus fulfll or confound my expectations? He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, What does the promise of the Resurrection mean his mercy endures forever. to me? How do I know that Jesus is faithful to Let Israel say: his promises? his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Aaron say, Ten go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been his mercy endures forever. raised from the dead.” What is the message that Jesus Let those who fear the Lord say, calls me to share with others? How can I participate in his mercy endures forever. the Church’s mission of evangelization? (Psalm 118:1-4)

Copyright © 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the New American Bible, revised edition, copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. Excerpts from the Lectionary for for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition, copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Excerpts from the English translation of Te Roman Missal, copyright © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. 2