Rejoice

Dear Friends,

This morning I contemplated Jesus sharing the joy of his resurrection with his mother, Mary, and what her response might have been.

Every Word of joy from of old

must have been ringing out in the earth

that day your son appeared to you after his death.

"Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad." Ch 16:31

From Deuteronomy, Chronicles, Psalms and Isaiah

to Jeremiah and Zechariah and the Gospel of Luke,

even through Revelation.

You must have leapt in the womb of the earth

and touched the highest heaven when He came back.

Like John in the womb of Elizabeth

when you visited her after the angel announced

you were to be His mother.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!”  Lk 6:23

All the scriptures of rejoicing come surging together—

like a mighty flood;

like a great wave—of grace;

like the birth of new creation;

like a voice thundering above the clouds

on that great day when He returns in glory.

Mary, I can imagine you saying,
"This is my son whom I love,” 

just as the Father had proclaimed

at the baptism of your son. 

“...I am well pleased.” Mk 1: 11

The baptism of our Lord now being poured out for all mankind.

"The wilderness will rejoice and blossom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy." Is 35:1

I have found my Lord!

He is Risen and He is here!

Let us prepare a feast!” you exclaim, O Mary. 

"There in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything..." Dt 12:7

The great company of host 

as at His birth are rejoicing,

praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men..." Lk 2: 14

For today a Savior is Risen.

And He says:

“Peace to you, Mary, my mother,

Peace to you, John, my brother,

Peace to my sisters who found the stone rolled away

And to whom I first appeared,

Peace to all who do my will,

Peace to all my people on earth.”

All the way to Revelation the Word reverberates.

"Let us rejoice and be glad!” Rv 19:7

Like the psalmist, Mary, you echo,

“My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices,” Ps 16: 9

and once again the great Magnificat resounds

which filled the earth at His conception

and now fills the earth again at His Resurrection:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

"Come, let us rejoice in Him!" Ps 66: 6

Happy Easter!
Sheila