On Easter morning the Christian community proclaims, "He is risen!" and responds, "He is risen indeed!"  Both proclamation and response declare the great mystery of our faith.  We serve a risen God, who through the person of Jesus has shown us the way to union with him - taking up our  cross, following him in death and then experiencing the wonder of new life in our own resurrection.  As I have pondered this quite astounding 'good news', I find myself like all the followers of Jesus in the days that followed his resurrection.  They must have been confused, shocked, doubting, feeling the loss of a dream that grew in their minds for three years, and feeling the loss of purpose and vision.  Jesus brings me new life, yet I so often face it in my own confusion and doubt.  What is this new life?  How do I experience it in my own life?  I asked a wise young man that very question (my son Andy).  His reply was this, after some thoughtful consideration: "The new life Jesus brings has nothing to do with a quality of life but everything to do with living life fully in and with a consciousness of God in all things."  Jesus' death and resurrection has given each of us a new reality of living every moment aware that we are in him and loved.  Jesus said " As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love" and "I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you  have sent me and loved them even as you have loved me."( John 15: 9 and 17:23) Powerful words, life-giving words!  My new life is a life hidden in Christ!

Here is one of the fun exercises I did this past week, quietly awakening my inner poet!!

Why Are You Weeping? (John 20: 10-18)

A simple question is asked.
Deeply felt loss exposes a human heart.
A new Voice repeats the question
Focus shifts, a turning 'toward' is required.

Deeply felt loss exposes a human heart.
LOVE exposes a deeper longing.
Focus shifts, a turning 'toward' is required.
Intimate knowing both embraces and sends forth.

LOVE exposes a deeper longing
Focus shifts, a turning 'toward' is required.
Intimate knowing both embraces and sends forth.
A simple question is asked.

Carol