CUT TO THE HEART

PRAYER MOMENT 

Easter Tuesday 7 April 2015

CUT TO THE HEART

Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading: Peter spoke to the Jews: ‘The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucifid both Lord and Christ.’ Hearing this they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, ‘Brothers, what must we do?’ (Acts 2:36-41)

Reflection. ‘Cut to the heart’ is an expression that conveys a sense of stunning discovery. It is a reaction we constantly meet in the time after the resurrection. Here the ordinary Jews are astonished and moved to repentance and a new way of life. In the accompanying text for today in John 20 Mary of Magdala is equally dumfounded and clings to Jesus in longing and love. These are the fruits of Easter and we want to welcome them into our hearts, always remembering that we do this for ourselves but also for the ‘whole House of Israel,’ that is, for all the people, especially those among whom we live  and who we meet each day in our ordinary lives. Our joy is to be visible and give witness to our hope.     

Prayer. Lord, we truly rejoice in this ‘rising up’ that you lead us into at Easter. Help us to witness joyfully to this new life among our contemporaries and friends. Amen.

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