Worship for Easter 2

For these worship suggestions this week I have used a Catholic pattern which was introduced by St Ignatius Loyola .

Presence
God is with us –whether we are together or apart. 
Pause for a moment and become aware of God with you.

Freedom
Although we cannot live our ‘normal’ lives, we are free to use this time to draw closer to God. Give thanks to God for this moment of worship.

Consciousness
Where in the last week have you found hope, mercy or peace?
When has life been harder than usual?
Thank God that God is with us in these positive times.
Ask for God’s strength in the negative times.

Word of God
John 20:19-31

Conversation
This story come almost at the end of John’s gospel, and perhaps is the ‘sign’ of Jesus Christ the Lord which can touch us today, as we continue to be isolated by the Covid19 virus.
The disciples are locked away in fear – what changes their lives is the presence of the risen Christ, with his words “Peace be with you”. Jesus gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit so that they will know this peace and this presence always. This gift of the presence of Christ is not just for those disciples at that moment, but for everyone, for evermore. This is demonstrated by the story of Thomas. He misses the first meeting with Jesus, and is doubtful of what the others have experienced. Then Jesus comes to him – and he believes. Jesus says to Thomas “have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe”. Who is Jesus talking about? Us. All of us – every believer who comes after Thomas. Jesus is with us just as much as he is with Thomas in that moment. So today, however fearful we may be, we need not fear we are abandoned. Be blessed by the living presence of Jesus and the gift of his Spirit. Peace be with you.

Conclusion
Thank God for the gifts of presence, peace and Spirit.
Those gifts flow out from where you are to the whole world.
Offer your prayers, using words if needs be:
for yourself, your home, your family
yours friends and neighbours, all who are working today
our country and the countries of this world.

You may like to use the words of this “universal peace prayer”:
Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth;
lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust;
lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart,
our world, our universe.

(This prayer was first publicly used in July 1981 by Mother Teresa in the Anglican Church, St. James’, Piccadilly.)

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