Fresco from the great Cloister of Santa Maria Novella in Florence / Lawrence OP
O Christ, the brightness of God’s glory
and express image of his person,
whom death could not conquer,
nor the tomb imprison;
as you have shared our mortal frailty in the flesh,
help us to share your immortal triumph in the spirit.
Let no shadow of the grave affright us
and no fear of darkness turn our hearts from you.
Reveal yourself to us as the first and the last,
the Living One, our immortal Savior and Lord.
Amen,
Henry Van Dyke, 1852 – 1933, American diplomat and Presbyterian clergyman
_____________________
As they were talking about these things,
Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them,
“Peace to you!”
But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
And he said to them,
“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
Touch me, and see.
For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
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