Terror and Amazement

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:1-8

Wondrous Creator you bring us new life

in every season and generation we see

your loving heart in the world around us

bringing new hope from tired bones.

Humanity crucified your gift to all

and we keep trying to ruin your gifts

yet time and time again you seek us

planting seeds of love and hope here.

We often forget you are working 

when death is destroying our faith

you are renewing and reinvigorating

even in the dark and broken places.

Help us to be the bearers of good news

let us spread hope where it has died

let us be beacons of light in darkness

and hands in the freedom of others. Amen.