– Br. Michael, ofm

Easter Encounters    

 

Easter Greetings!

Spending time with the Resurrection accounts this Easter week has allowed for pondering, insights and Easter Hope to settle in me and my journey. Along with Easter Hope comes Easter Joy which has been a reminder of Christ Risen always with us. As we continue into the Easter Season, I offer two poems. I will be taking a pause from posting reflections over the next several weeks. I pray Easter Hope and Joy continue to fill you and your homes during this season of new life.

 

Much peace and all good.

 

 

The Empty Tomb

The empty tomb

calls us to be

messengers of the good news

like Mary Magdalene.

The empty tomb

calls us to be

filled with awe

like the myrrh bearing women.

 

The empty tomb

calls us to be

heralds of hope

like Simon Peter.

The empty tomb

calls us to be

renewed in faith

like the disciple Thomas.

 

The empty tomb

calls us to be

dwellings of love

like the apostle John.

The empty tomb

calls us to be

sanctuaries of the Holy Spirit

like Mother Mary.

The empty tomb

calls us to

new life and new vision

now and for ever.

Amen.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Breaking Bread

In the breaking of the bread

love is strengthened

truth is poured out

relationship is restored.

In the breaking of the bread

our Saviour

our Redeemer

our Way is made known.

In the breaking of the bread

we become one

we are called to serve

we become messengers of hope.

In the breaking of the bread

Christ has died

Christ is Risen

Christ continuously comes to us.

In the breaking of the bread

community gathers

we celebrate and remember

gifts and graces of love outpoured.

In the breaking of the bread

we know for the life of the world.

In the breaking of the bread.

 

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

Easter Blessings!

 

Photo Credits:

Bruno van der Kraan

Mike Kenneally

Br. Michael, ofm

Life is full of unknowns

death seems to lurk always near.

 

Life from death

does not make sense.

 

Yet the parable of the seed

gives insight into this reality.

 

Christ Jesus

crucified – died – buried

Risen from the dead

trampling death

bringing us life.

 

Life not as we know it

rather beyond what we can know.

 

With him we too rise

death although earthly has no real grip.

 

Continually on the journey

new life springs forth from what has died.

 

Christ Jesus

Risen from the dead

our fullness of life

we praise you

for defeating death.

 

Amen!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

 

Easter Blessings!

 

Photo Credit: Pisit Heng

 

Br. Michael, ofm

 

 

The crossbeam of my life

anxiety

sickness

instability

and I fall.

The crossbeam of my life

physical ailment

mental breakdown

spiritual emptiness

                              and I fall.

The crossbeam of my life

fear

loneliness

expectation

                              and I fall.

Each time I fall,

I am strengthened by the

love and Passion of Christ

                             and I rise.

He who knows

the crossbeam of my life

leads me to freedom

in his resurrected life.

Photo Credit: Pavel Nekoranec

 

www.instagram.com/mountstfrancis/

 – Br. Michael, ofm

 

Tired out

Worn out

Stressed out

Come to the water.

 

Thirsty

Hungry

Unsettled

Come to the water.

 

Brokenness

Loneliness

Illusions

Come to the water.

 

Come as you are

Drink

Come with your story

Drink

Come to the well

Drink

 

Fountain of living water

Gift of God

Gushing up for everyone.

 

Where is this water?

Is it free?

How do I drink?

 

In Christ.

Freedom in the Savior.

Drink Abundantly.

Drink up.

 

His well of mercy and grace

Never runs dry

Come to the living water

Drink up.

 

– Based on John 4.5-42

 

 

Photo Credit: Amritanshu Sikdar