Pray the Stations of the Resurrection: 3, 4 & 5
Many of us are accustomed to praying the Stations of the Cross as part of our Lenten or Good Friday meditations. In the latter part of the 20th century, however, a practice to help us mark the Resurrection in a similarly thoughtful way was introduced - after all, the season of Easter consists not of one glorious day, but 50. So this year we offer you the Stations of the Resurrection, as provided in their entirety here by the Church of England.
We invite you to use the stations as a prompt for contemplative prayer, for imagination, for lectio divina practice and for spiritual creativity. What thoughts and images come to mind for you? Might you capture your response in a photo, drawing, or written reflection? If you would like to share your images or musings with the rest of us, please send them to Peggy.
We will generally offer two or three stations each week; there are 19 in total.
Third Station:
The disciples run to the empty tomb
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.
Reading
A reading from the Gospel according to John (20.3-8)
Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.
Reflection or Meditation
Sit with this text in quietness for a while; or hold it in your thoughts if you are going on a walk. What does it spark for you, or suggest to you?
Prayer
We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,
for in you our God reveals the awesome power of love that is
stronger even than death.
As in your dying you destroyed death,
so in your rising may we be raised above the trials and torments of
this world’s woe.
To you, Lord Jesus,
the fullness of your life revealed in an empty tomb,
be honour and glory, now and for ever.
All Amen.
This acclamation may be used
Praise to you, Lord Jesus:
All Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Fourth Station:
The angel appears to the women
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.
Reading
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (28.5-8)
The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Reflection or Meditation
Sit with this text in quietness for a while; or hold it in your thoughts if you are going on a walk. What does it spark for you, or suggest to you?
Prayer
We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,
for your resurrection overturns our expectations of life
and even your closest friends could not see truth before them.
As the angel helped them to grasp your triumph
and overcome their fear,
so help us to see your hand at work
through the events that overtake us.
To you, Lord Jesus,
whose ways astonish beyond our imagining,
be honour and glory, now and for ever.
All Amen.
Fifth Station:
Jesus meets the women
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.
Reading
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (28.9,10)
Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
Reflection or Meditation
Sit with this text in quietness for a while; or hold it in your thoughts if you are going on a walk. What does it spark for you, or suggest to you?
Prayer
We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,
for your simple word of greeting made the hearts of the women
leap with joy.
Speak your word of love to those whose hearts are broken,
that they too may hear your loving, beckoning call.
To you, Lord Jesus,
whose call summons us to life in all its fullness,
be honour and glory, now and for ever.
All Amen.
(photo above by Pisit Heng on Unsplash)