An Eastertide Retreat: Following the Way of the Risen Christ
- Co-authored: Karen Shields Wright, Gregory Vigliotta
- Apr 16
- 23 min read
Updated: Jun 23
We continue to follow Jesus as He appears to the women at the tomb, His disciples, and many others. Here is where we share with His Blessed Mother Mary and the disciples, joy in His Risen Life. In praying along the way toward the Ascension, we realize how we will also be called like the disciples to carry forth the Gospel's good news.
This Gospel in Parallel Ignatian Retreat rooted in the early Church's practice called the Via Lucis, the path of transforming joy.*
Note: Over these next 40 days till Ascension, we come to spend quiet times with Jesus as appears to hundreds and as He comforts His disciples, walking with them, instructing, equipping, and commissioning them for their mission, we come reflect upon those areas we desire to be comforted by Him as we accompany Him along the way on His last days on earth, leaving us trusting and waiting 10 days for the Comforter to be sent.
Preparing for Your Retreat
Offertory Prayer
Beginning your prayer time: At the beginning of each prayer period, offer yourself to the Lord. Pray the “Take and Receive”
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding, and my entire will,
all that I have and possess.
Thou hast given all to me.
To Thee, O Lord, I return it.
All is Thine; dispose of it wholly according to Thy will.
Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this, is sufficient for me.
Amen
Preparatory Prayer
“The preparatory prayer is to ask, God Our Lord for the grace is that all my intentions (wants and desires), actions, and operations (interior mental activities) , maybe order purely to the service in praise of the Divine Majesty” (SE 46).
Write in your own words your intentions _______________________
Petitionary Prayer
Now, being situated within the mystery, after reading it the night before (or before the prayer period begins), we ask for what we desire from the Holy Spirit to reveal to us how we may go forth to meet the will of God.
Share your desires with the Lord for this day's retreat. ___________________
Lord, grant me the grace "to be glad and rejoice intensely because of the great joy and the glory of Christ the Lord," who has risen from the dead. ( SE221)*
Meditations from the Four Gospels ( Pericopes)
(click the > to Open)
The Resurrection of Jesus - The Empty Tomb
Luke 24: 1-12
The Resurrection of Jesus. 1 But at daybreak on the first day of the week they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. 5 They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? 6 He is not here, but he has been raised Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” 8 And they remembered his words. 9 [Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. 10 The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, 11 but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.
John 20:1-10
The Empty Tomb. 1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark,[c] and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran[d] and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 3 [So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths[f] there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned home.
Jesus's Initial Apparitions
Prelude: Imagine the risen Christ appearing to his Mother Mary and experiencing their excitement and joy at their reunion. Discover the empty tomb with the women and the Apostles and witness their confusion, fear, and despair turn to Joy and excitement. What Peter may have experienced. Take each of their encounters.
The First Apparition ( SE 299)
He appeared to the Virgin Mary
Though this is not mentioned explicitly in the Scripture, it must be considered as stated when the Scripture says that He appeared to many others. For Scripture supposes that we have understanding, as it is written, Jesus said “Are you also without understanding?” ( Mark 7:18)
The Second Apparition (SE 300)
Appearance to Mary Magdalene
Mark 16:1-11
The Resurrection of Jesus 1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. 2 Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. 5 On entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. 6 He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. 7 But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’” 8 Then they went out and fled from the tomb, seized with trembling and bewilderment. They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
9 When he had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
John 20:11-18
11 But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.”
14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there but did not know it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. 17 Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me,for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.
The Third Apparition (SE 301)
Jesus Appears to the Two Women
Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. 3 His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. 4 The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. 5 Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”
8 Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples.9 And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The Fourth Apparition (SE 302)
Appearing to Peter
While St. Peter was thinking of these things, Christ appeared to him. That is why the Apostles said, “The Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon.” ( Luke 24:34)
Luke 24:9-12 & 33-34
9 Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. 10 The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, 11 but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened....
33 So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them 34 who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
John 20:1-13
1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.
Reflection: What is it like for me to imagine Jesus reuniting with his mother, Mary? How does their joy resonate with me? What emotions come over me as I imagine the Apostles and the women discover the empty tomb? What does it mean to me to rejoice in the great glory and joy of Christ the Lord?
Report of The Guard
Prelude: See how the fear and unbelief of the chief priests leads them towards more deceit and lies. They are without peace in their hearts. Those who grow in faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ experience his joy and peace
Matthew 28:11-15
While they were going, some of the guards went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy [him] and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present [day].
Reflection: How has Jesus shared his joy and peace with me this Easter? How is he inviting me and leading me to a new life with Him and in Him?
The Road To Emmaus
Prelude: Walk with the travelers and Jesus. See how the traveler and Cleopas, whose name means "vision of glory', are sad and without hope (downcast) while their eyes are prevented from recognizing Jesus. Notice how Jesus walks with them and listens to them during their sadness.
The Fifth Apparition (SE 303) Jesus Appears to the Two
Mark 16:12-13
12 And after these things, He was manifested in another form unto two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country. 13 And they went away and told it unto the rest: neither believed them.
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that very day, two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, 14 and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. 15 And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, 16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. 22 Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. 24 Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”
25 And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened that, while he was with them at the table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 With that, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. 32 Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” 33 So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them 34 who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then, the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Reflection: When have I encountered Jesus' love and joy burning within me? What does it mean to me that Jesus desires to share His joy and glory with me personally? How do I recognize the risen Christ?
Jesus Appears To His Disciples (Thomas Being Absent)
Prelude: See how Jesus greets His friends and disciples. Notice how He is eager to share His peace with them. Hear the urgency in Jesus' voice as he empowers the Apostles to go into the world to proclaim the Gospel and baptize new believers. Notice his promise that those who believe in him will not be harmed.
The Sixth Apparition (SE 304) Jesus Appears to the 11 Disciples in Jerusalem
Mark 16:14-18
[But] later, as the eleven were at the table, He appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will drive out demons, and they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Luke 24:36-49
The Appearance to the Disciples in Jerusalem. 36 While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of baked fish; 43 he took it and ate it in front of them.
44 He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And [behold] I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
John 20:19-23
Appearance to the Disciples. 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples[l] were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Reflection: How is Jesus inviting me to proclaim His Gospel and share His good news? What areas of unbelief am I ready to entrust more fully to Jesus?Where in my life has Jesus graced me with His peace? In what ways can I share the gift of peace He has given me with others?
Jesus Appears To His Disciples (Thomas Present)
Prelude: Consider how Jesus treats Thomas with love and compassion as he faces his doubt that Christ has risen. See how Thomas' doubt leads to renewed faith and deepened love of Jesus.
The Seventh Apparition (SE 305) 8 Days Later Jesus Appears to Thomas
John 20:24-29
Thomas. 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 Now, a week later, his disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Reflection: How has your faith and love of Jesus been renewed this Easter? Proclaim with Thomas, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus Appears To His Disciples By The Sea of Tiberias
Prelude: Consider how empty and lonely Peter must have been feeling without his friend Jesus. He decides to go back to what he knows best, fishing from his boat and the others join him. See how overwhelmed Peter becomes with excitement and joy as he jumps overboard and rushes to the shore to see Jesus.
The Eighth Apparition (SE 306) Appearance to the Seven Disciples
John 21:1-25
1 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. 2 Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6 So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. 7 So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 9 When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter. 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
The Beloved Disciple. 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” 23 So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? [What concern is it of yours?]”
24 It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
Reflection: What is it like for me to imagine Jesus reuniting with his friend Peter and the other disciples? When have I felt the intense joy that Peter felt when he jumped into the sea? How does Jesus share His glory and joy with me today?
The Commissioning: Jesus Appears To The Eleven On Mount Tabor In Galilee
Prelude: Imagine yourself with the Apostles and hear Jesus' words as if he is speaking directly to you. Hear the urgency of Jesus' voice and consider the response of the Apostles.
The Ninth Apparition (SE 307)
Matthew 28:16-20
16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. 18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go, therefore,* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.* And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Reflection: What is it like for me to hear Jesus promise that He will be with me always? How do I respond to Jesus in gratitude and faith?
Jesus Talks to Peter
Prelude: Imagine yourself on the shore with Jesus and Peter as they share in this intimate conversation. Next, imagine Jesus speaking directly to you. Respond to Him.
John 21: 15-25
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”* He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Reflection: How is Jesus calling you to feed his sheep? How is Jesus inviting you to tend his sheep? Ask Jesus to instill in you the desire to follow him and serve him.
Jesus Appears to the Many
The 10th Apparition (SE 308)
1 Corinthians 15: 1-6
1 Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; 5 that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
The 11th Apparition (SE 310)
He appeared to Joseph of Arimathea, as may be piously, believed, and as it is read in the lives of the Saints
The 12th Apparition (SE 310)
1 Corinthians 15: 7
7 After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
The 13th Apparition (SE 311)
1 Corinthians 15: 8
8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, Jesus appeared to me, Paul.
The Ascension
Prelude: Imagine being a witness of Jesus's glory is as he is received into heaven. Hear him affirm the promise of the Father to send his Spirit upon all who believe in him.
Mark 16: 19-20
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
Luke 24:44-53
44 He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And [behold] I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 Then He led them [out] as far as Bethany, raised His hands, and blessed them.
51As He blessed them He parted from them and was taken up to heaven. 52 They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple praising God.
John 20:30-31
30 Many other signs, therefore, did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.
Acts 1: 1-12 (SE 312)
The Promise of the Spirit. 1 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught 2 until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; 5 for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit.”
The Ascension of Jesus. 6 When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. 10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away.
Reflection: As you now wait in joy, obedience, and trust over the next 10 days till Pentecost, pray with these words of St. Ignatius:
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O Lord, I return it. All is Thine; dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this, is sufficient for me. Amen
Gathering the Graces: Review and savor God’s gifts to you after each section and at the end. Make notes for sharing with your spiritual director or your faith-sharing group.
May the peace of Christ continue to remain in your heart as we come to celebrate Pentecost - the gift of the Holy Spirit.
NOTES: This as a Gospel in Parallel Retreat is based upon the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius' Fourth Week. The notations (SE) are taken from The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius translation by Louis J. Puhl. SJ of Loyola Press 1951.
*You will also find it similar to "The Stations of Light" an early Church devotional. It was spiritual journey with Christ based upon the fourteen events of His post-Resurrection life on earth also known as the Via Lucis, or Way of the Resurrection, a path of transforming joy.
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