Intercessions: Bright Sunday, Low Sunday, Mercy Sunday

Lamps Inside the Tomb of Jesus

Today is sometimes called Mercy Sunday./ We pray to learn a new depth of kindness from the mercy of God revealed in Christ./ We pray to the Lord.

Today is also called Bright Sunday./ We pray for those who experience only darkness,/ depression,/ burdens and hopelessness in their lives./ For each human person to know some happiness./ We pray to the Lord.

Fanatics blew up a crowded playground in Lahore, Pakistan on Easter night/ killing 72 and injuring 300 people./ We pray for all who have suffered this great sadness/ and for the conversion of those who kill people,/ even children./ We pray to the Lord.

Our country is suffering a deadly,/ drug-abuse epidemic./ We pray for wisdom,/ resolve and national healing./ We pray to the Lord.

We remember our families in the Easter Season,/ those who are having a hard time of it,/ emotionally,/ physically,/ spiritually or financially./ For courage and strength./ We pray to the Lord. 

We pray for those who are sick,/ lonely,/ unemployed,/ away from loved ones,/ without opportunity/ or weakened by anxieties./ And we ask for the awareness,/ willingness and strength that will be asked of us this week./ We pray to the Lord. 

Finally we pray for those who have died since last Easter,/ asking as well/ the blessings of comfort and restoration for those who are mourning/ where there is death by enemies./ We pray to the Lord. 

Wednesday in the Easter Octave

The Western Church calls these days the Easter Octave - an overflow of eight days - each prayer in the present tense - today! The Eastern Church calls these days Bright Week. Each day filled with the light of the Resurrection. At Athos, the icon of the Mother of God Glykophilousa is carried in procession. Here is the accompanying hymn:

The angel cried to the Lady full of grace:
Rejoice, O pure Virgin!
Again I say: Rejoice! 
Your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb!
Shine! Shine! O New Jerusalem!
The glory of the Lord has shone on you!
Dance now and be glad, O Zion!
Be radiant, O Pure Theotokos,
in the Resurrection of Your Son!

• Theotokos is Greek for Mother of God. 
• Glykophilousa means Sweet Kissing or Loving Kindness. In Christ, born of Mary, the world is kissed by God.
• And who's the New Jerusalem? Who's Zion? It's us! 
• Rejoice! Shine! Dance! Be glad! Be radiant! We're invited to enter an inner world of happiness.

Tuesday in the Easter Octave: Jesus, Risen Gardener

Rembrandt ~ Jesus, Risen Gardener

In preparation for my First Communion I was catechized in 1957-58 by a young Franciscan nun, Sister Vincent. My world was already delightful with crayons, training wheel bike and over the fence there were still wooded lots. Then...

She told me of your Resurrection, O Christ my beloved:
of the myrrh-bearing women who ran in fear and joy,
of your Easter morning gardener-disguise,
of the beach-breakfast you prepared on the charcoal fire,
of your honeycomb lunch -
   sweetness of God's life,
   after the vinegar we gave you to drink,
of your candlelight dinner with news-weary friends,
of your wounds shining like the crocus in snow,
of your peace-laden breath,
of your eyes wide awake
looking compassion upon our Good Friday world - 
   of human bombs,
   and sexualized infants,
   of despised refugees
   and oil-soaked seabirds,
   of burning forests
   and discount spice.

Stay with us Lord, it is already late.

Father Stephen Morris