Music Info
Victimae Paschali Laudes
By The monks of Glenstal Abbey
Gregorian Chants | Glenstal Abbey
Prelude
By Scott Lamlein
Peace | Scott Lamlein (used with permission)
Script
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Today is Easter Tuesday, the 23 April.
The monks of Glenstal Abbey sing the Easter sequence, Victimae Paschali Laudes, proclaiming the Resurrection, and telling the story of Mary’s visit to the empty tomb, where the linen-cloths lay, cast-off on the ground.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.
In this passage, Mary Magdalene experiences a roller-coaster of emotions. At the beginning, she is grieving for her lost friend, and for the hopes that were also lost when he was killed. What is there in your own experience that tells you what that is like?
Move forward to the moment when Jesus says just one word, her name, “Mary!”. That’s the moment when she recognises him. How would that feel?
Jesus then does something very typical. He gives someone who is close to him something to do. Mary has to go and tell Jesus’ other friends what she has seen and heard. Can you recognise in your own life something that Jesus calls you to do, a job that he counts on you for?
As the gospel story is read again, try to stay with Mary’s feelings at each stage of the unfolding drama.
Imagine Jesus standing before you now, saying just one word, your own name. How do you want to respond to him when he does that?