O God of Easter Friday, we thank you

for breathing your Spirit into us, even when we are fearful and want to hide;

for promising us new life, even with our scars and wounds;

for assuring us that death does not have the last word,

saving that for the Amen of Jesus’ resurrection.

Like Mary, you give eyes of the heart to see new life in places of grief and loss.

Like Thomas, you do not forsake us in our questions,

but meet us where we are with a kiss of peace.

Like Peter, you forgive us, again and again and again,

and call us to follow you in ways we could never dream.

Meet us in ordinary meals, in ordinary places, among ordinary people,

and with hearts burning within us,

may we know in these ordinary things your extraordinary love,

what wondrous love meant to be shared with all.

Holy Week has come and gone.

Christ is risen, indeed.

And we are ek-kle-sia, “called out,” into your world,

graced as Easter people to say, “Amen. Truly, truly. It is so. ”