O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread, open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
This is the prayer appointed for Easter evening. (ELW p. 32) It is rooted in the story from Luke's Gospel (Lk. 24:13-49) that tells of two followers of Jesus on the road out of Jerusalem toward Emmaus. They are so deeply focused on the troubling events of Jesus' crucifixion and the apparent disappearance of his body that they do not recognize that it is the Risen Christ who is walking with them. Only when they were at a table together and the Risen Lord blessed, broke and gave the bread to them did they recognize him.
Open the eyes of our faith... that is the only petition of this prayer. Thanks be to God that the Holy Spirit has been about that work through our pastors, musicians and staff as they led us on the Lenten journey, the observance of the great Three Days, and the Festival of Easter. We have been called by the word proclaimed, taught in practices of discipleship, and led in liturgy and music to see God in Jesus Christ in all his redeeming work. We are blessed.
Open the eyes of our faith... that is the only petition of this prayer, because seeing what God has done in the witness of the Scriptures is not the end of seeing, it is the beginning. The redeeming work of Christ in this world continues. We pray that our eyes may be open to see that God is still at work in this world. And as we are baptized, we add another petition: that we as part of Christ's body may join in God's mission by bearing God's creative and redeeming word to all the world.
We Pray: Open the eyes of our faith, Risen Savior, so that even in this world filled with brokenness, tragic hate and selfishness, our trust in you may be deepened, and we may give ourselves into your redeeming love and mercy for the sake of the world. Amen.
Contributed by Bishop Riley
Monday April 6, 2015
Liturgical Year B: Week 19
Liturgical Color: White/Gold
Sunday Gospel reading: Easter
Easter Sunday