Easter II © Jan L. Richardson
Reading from the Gospels, Easter Sunday (April 24):
John 20.1-18 or Matthew 28.1-10
Easter Blessing
If you are looking
for a blessing,
do not linger
here.
Here
is only
emptiness,
a hollow,
a husk
where a blessing
used to be.
This blessing
was not content
in its confinement.
It could not abide
its isolation,
the unrelenting silence,
the pressing stench
of death.
So if it is
a blessing
that you seek,
open your own
mouth.
Fill your lungs
with the air
that this new
morning brings
and then
release it
with a cry.
Hear how the blessing
breaks forth
in your own voice
how your own lips
form every word
you never dreamed
to say.
See how the blessing
circles back again
wanting you to
repeat it
but louder
how it draws you
pulls you
sends you
to proclaim
its only word:
risen
risen
risen.
P.S. For a previous reflection on Easter Sunday, see Easter Sunday: Out of the Garden. I am also offering daily reflections throughout Holy Week at the Sanctuary of Women blog and would be delighted to have your company there as well. And if you haven’t seen the videos that Garrison Doles and I recently released for Lent and Easter, I welcome you to check them out here: Listening at the Cross and The Hours of Mary Magdalene. Know that I’m holding you in prayer throughout this Holy Week, and I wish you a joyous Easter!
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The Hours of Mary Magdalene
April 20, 2011 at 12:45 PM |
Beautiful poem, Jan. “Hear how the blessing /breaks forth /in your own voice.”: so gorgeous a sentiment.
April 21, 2011 at 10:27 PM |
Thank you, Maureen!
April 20, 2011 at 9:07 PM |
Hi Jan – GRATEFUL! These are the words for this week I have been struggling to find, and you found them already. Thanks for sharing them!
April 21, 2011 at 10:29 PM |
Hi, Juniper–Oh, yay! Thank you! Very grateful for your words. Many blessings to you in these holy days, and a joyous Easter!