God raised this Jesus; this we are all witnesses. Acts 2:32

“Reimagine that first Easter-the emotional peaks and valleys that have just transpired. Today’s scriptures show Mary Magdalene fearful-yet overjoyed running to announce Jesus’ resurrection. And Peter and the apostles boldly proclaim Christ to people who crucified him.

Yes. We are all witnesses – sometimes testifying to the Risen Jesus for others.  What does that look like for you? Have you ever had the brashness of Peter and the apostles, setting straight those who offend our Lord? Maybe, like Mary Magdalene, you’ve harnessed fear and joy, announcing great news to those closest to you? We are called to witness in countless ways. Christ did not place us in a witness protection program to avoid anyone who might threaten us and our desire to testify. No. But he did places in the world desperately needing his joy. And in that, we are all his witnesses.

Dear Jesus, please help us to credibly witness the joy of your resurrection in all we do. ” Kathleen Swartz McQuaig

Do what rivers do. They flow on and move forward, gathering strength along the way. And they occasionally have turbulent times to deal with, but they always-always – find a way to get where they’re going.” Douglas Pagels

We are fortunate to always have God flowing with us.

…. Jesus knew that his our had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. John 13:1

In my fifteen years as a hospice volunteer and being with loved ones of dying relatives, I’ve known an awesome sacredness mixed with aching sadness when someone’s death approaches. I imagine a similar atmosphere during Jesus’ farewell to his beloved disciples – the palpable sense of love, the excrutiating depths of sorrow . The tenderness as he expressed his love for his friends was only surpassed by the astounding gesture as he wrapped a cloth around his waist and bent to wash their sweaty, dirty feet. John’s account of this does not mention tears, but surely they were a wash in the disciples’ hearts that evening. Now is the time to strengthen and expand that kind of love in us so that when the time arrives for our departure, our hearts will be a similar overflowing container of love.” Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.

“To live in a state of grace means to be fully in tune with your spiritual nature and a higher power that sustains you. Grace comes when you are able to move from your lower self, where your ego dictates the path that ‘should’ be rightfully yours, to your higher self, where you are able to transcend your ego and expand into your greater good. It comes when you shift from a ‘me’ centered reality to an understanding of the bigger picture. Grace comes when you understand and accept that the universe always creates circumstances that lead every person to his or her own true path, and that everything happens for a reason as part of a divine plan….

In the state of Grace you trust in yourself and the universe. You can celebrate other peoples blessings, knowing that their gifts are right and appropriate for them and that the universe has your gift right around the

corner. ” Cherie Carter-Scott, PhD

“There is nothing more important than family. Those words should be etched in stone on the sidewalk that lead to every home. ”  Douglas Pagels