The walk to Emmaus. Luke 24:13-35
Luke tells a long and beautiful story about two disciples at Emmaus who spent Easter afternoon and evening with Jesus. They recognise him the way we recognise him, in hearing what the Scriptures proclaim and in the breaking of the bread. We are an Emmaus people these days, watching the sun rise, sensing Christ at our side as the Scriptures are opened and the bread is blessed.
They drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is far spent”. Luke 24:19

Hospital Easter 1.
Even though the word Easter never appears in the Bible, it is the word used in English to describe the most important Christian feast. Easter is the day on which Christians celebrate Jesus’s resurrection from the dead in a special way. It is one of the holiest days of the Church year, and the Easter season lasts fifty days until Pentecost. It is truly a time to celebrate the great joy and wonder of the Resurrection. The Sunday gospel readings focus on the appearances of Jesus that are recorded in the four Gospels and the stories of the start of the Church, from the Acts of the Apostles. The Easter season gives each of us hope and joy because death has been overcome. Throughout the Easter season we sing, “Alleluia”

Easter Season
“After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.” Matthew 28:2
Lord, your rising from the dead increases my faith, hope and love. May my belief in your resurrection change my attitude and behaviour towards others.

“Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb.” Mark 16:3
Lord your rising from the dead gives the world renewed hope. Remove the obstacles from my life that keep me from believing and trusting in the power of your resurrection.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.” Luke 24;5
Lord, the power of your resurrection lives in the hearts of all believers. May your resurrection empower me to bring love, hope, and peace to others.

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.” John 20;2
Lord, your resurrection pierces the darkness of doubt and fear. May the power of your resurrection help me to deepen my love for you and all people.

God my friend, when Christ came back, no one recognised Him at first. That should be a cautionary lesson about who might present Him to me. Amen

“Jesus make me then to rise
From death to life, on such a wise
As thou rose up on Easter Day,
In joy and bliss to live for aye. Amen Gordon Huelin
“Risen Lord, come stand among us,
Awaken us to your presence,
Open to us the gate of glory,
Show us the path of life,
Help us to know you are with us now and always.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!” David Adam

Sunday
Sometimes we need to be reminded that Sunday, not Monday is the first day of the week! The Day of Resurrection, the eighth day of God’s great week, having rested in the sleep of death on his saving Sabbath, and risen to never-ending life in his human body. It is the first day of the week of weeks – the fifty days of the Easter Season – in which the glory and the joy of the Resurrection spill- upon the Church, upon humanity, that we might be caught-up in and transformed by his victory. His glory is the source of our holiness; let us rejoice in it!

‘Bear I don’t understand’ said the girl ‘you said this was the most amazing gift ever, but it’s empty!’
‘Yes’ said the bear.

‘Quack’ said the duck (Happy Easter)