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(Acts 2:14,22-33;\xa0\xa0 Ps.16:1-2,5,7-11;\xa0\xa0 1Pt.1:17-21;\xa0\xa0 Lk.24:13-35) \xa0 \u201cGod raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.\u201d \xa0 Peter stands up \u201cwith the Eleven\u201d and proclaims to all the Resurrection of the Christ, that He who was crucified has been released \u201cfrom the throes of death.\u201d\xa0 David \u201cforesaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was He abandoned to the netherworld nor did His flesh see corruption.\u201d\xa0 The women who went to His empty tomb early Easter morning saw \u201ca vision of angels who announced that He was alive\u201d; this they declared to His apostles.\xa0 And as for the two sojourning to Emmaus, \u201cHe was made known to them in the breaking of bread,\u201d whereupon they \u201creturned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, \u2018The Lord has been raised and has appeared to Simon!\u2019\u201d\xa0 All reports converge.\xa0 The earth cries out of the presence of the living God.\xa0 He is risen! \u201cAs you see and hear,\u201d you who \u201cinvoke as Father Him who judges impartially,\u201d \u201cexalted at the right hand of God, [Jesus] received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured Him forth.\u201d\xa0 This truth is evident in all the words of Scripture, in all His holy witnesses, and in this bread and wine made the Body and Blood of our Lord.\xa0 Do you not see?\xa0 Do you not hear?\xa0 Do you not know that \u201cyou were ransomed from your futile conduct\u2026 with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb\u201d?\xa0 Is it not you \u201cwho through Him believe in God who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory\u201d?\xa0 Is it not so that \u201cyour faith and hope are in God\u201d?\xa0 Do you not see?\xa0 Do you not hear?\xa0 Do you not know Him even as these witnesses?\xa0 And do you witness with them? Let us cry out with the words of our psalm, \u201cO Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot,\u201d even as we approach His altar today.\xa0 As we receive Him, let our eyes be opened to recognize His presence.\xa0 Our hearts should burn as He speaks to us and with His witnesses \u201copen[s] the Scriptures to us,\u201d and in His breaking of the bread we should see Him.\xa0 And then we should go forth, inspired as Peter, inspired as the women, inspired as the two disciples and all those gathered in His name, to proclaim that He is risen, that He is with us \u2013 that we see Him and know Him.\xa0 Let all hear and understand that \u201cHe was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time\u201d for the sake of all.\xa0 Yes, \u201cthe Lord has truly been raised.\u201d \xa0 Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "What Do You Think?/Open, No Horizon" (second part) from All One, sixth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, truly has your Son been raised from the dead, and we with Him.\xa0 YHWH, open our eyes and ears to see and hear of your glory, of the resurrection of your divine Son.\xa0 In the Scriptures and in the breaking of the Bread, in the preaching of your apostles let us come to believe in you and in your presence here among us even this day.\xa0 How slow of heart we are to believe!\xa0 Open our hearts and minds to your Word. The Christ shall not know death and its corruption; He shall rise from the grave.\xa0 This is declared to us by your prophets and kings, and is realized by all of faith.\xa0 And our souls, too, shall not be abandoned to the nether world, if we but believe in Him whom you have sent, if we but live in the Spirit He pours upon us.\xa0 O LORD, let us abound in joy forever in your presence. Walk with us, O God, and speak to us along the way.\xa0 Reveal your presence in the Sacrament of the altar.\xa0 You are our portion and cup.\xa0 In hope of your glory we dwell this day.