Thank you, Pope Francis, for your example as a disciple of Jesus Christ, for your embrace of those most needy, and for the gift of hope. Receive his soul, holy angels of God, and
present him to God most high.
Scribbles from...
Happy Bright Wednesday!
Throughout Eastern Europe this week after Easter is referred to as Bright Week with each day so named. The Orthodox Church sets aside a full week that it considers one long day of celebration for the Resurrection of Christ. Western Europe also continues the celebration of Easter with various customs, and Easter Monday is a holiday throughout much of Europe and in Canada.
I first encountered this when in high school. Spring Break for Catholic Schools always fell on this week after Easter. I chose to go to morning Mass that Monday at a nearby immigrant Polish church. Expecting the kind of short, subdued liturgy that morning Mass often is, I was amazed to discover a full-blown celebration on the scale of the day before.
The church was crowded with people dressed in Easter finery and a large choir rang out the Alleluias with gusto! Entranced, I returned each morning and experienced the fullness of the post Resurrection stories: the women at the tomb, Mary in the garden, the road to Emmaus, the upper room, doubting Thomas, Jesus appearing to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee. Looking back, I realize I was changed by that experience. I not only long to linger with these stories after Easter each year, I want to share them with others as well.
That longing eventually became the presentations I’ve offered every year, Encounters with the Risen Lord. Today’s SCRIBBLES offers you one of these Encounters, "Mary in the Garden." That link is below. The designated reading of yesterday, Bright Tuesday, it tells “the rest of the story” that is commonly proclaimed on Easter Sunday. In Catholic churches, John 20:1-10 is read as the Resurrection story on Easter, but this portion, John 20:11-18 is not; it is only read on the following Tuesday. Most Christian churches read the entirety of the story John 20:1-18 on Easter morning, but this “second half," unfortunately, has become an overlooked postscript in the Catholic Church. And it is a gem! You will find all of my Encounters offering on the Encounters with the Risen Lord page. I invite you to set aside a half-hour, click on it and enjoy lingering with the story. And below you will find a button for music that will enhance your experience.
Please enjoy this Easter gift and share your thoughts, if so inclined.I have also added the other Encounters to my website for you to take advantage of in this Easter season. Each is a 30 minute YouTube video that you can view and share with others in these next couple weeks while I have them live on the website. Enjoy!
THANK YOU to United Lutheran, Bella Vista, AR
and to RETREAT, REFLECT, RENEW
for inviting me to be a part of their Lenten observance.
It was a joy to have WITNESSES ON THE WAY become the Passion Narrative for Palm Sunday at United Lutheran. Pastor Carl, organist Robbie Hubbard, and parishioners Robin, Jim, Becky, Nancy, Pete, Steve, Fred, and Karen made the Passion come alive for the folks at United Lutheran. The Easter that followed was blessed indeed!
I found myself Good Friday in the intimate company of some marvelous women who came together via Zoom from throughout the US, Mexico, and the UK to walk together the Way of the Cross as WITNESSES ON THE WAY. Christine and Mary, you once again created a place of welcome. Our hearts were all changed as we entered into the Passion in the various characters who once were there.
If you are part of a faith community interested in WITNESSES ON WAY as a resource for Lent of 2026, please contact me.
Responses from Readers... (April 2, 2025 - Almost Easter)
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