(Acts 2:14,22-33; Ps.16:1-2,5,7-11; 1Pt.1:17-21; Lk.24:13-35) "God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses." Peter stands up "with the Eleven" and proclaims to all the Resurrection of the Christ, that He who was crucified has been released "from the throes of death." David "foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was He abandoned to the netherworld nor did His flesh see corruption." The women who went to His empty tomb early Easter morning saw "a vision of angels who announced that He was alive"; this they declared to His apostles. And as for the two sojourning to Emmaus, "He was made known to them in the breaking of bread," whereupon they "returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, 'The Lord has been raised and has appeared to Simon!'" All reports converge. The earth cries out of the presence of the living God. He is risen! "As you see and hear," you who "invoke as Father Him who judges impartially," "exalted at the right hand of God, [Jesus] received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured Him forth." 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. Do you not see? Do you not hear? Do you not know that "you were ransomed from your futile conduct… with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb"? Is it not you "who through Him believe in God who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory"? Is it not so that "your faith and hope are in God"? Do you not see? Do you not hear? Do you not know Him even as these witnesses? And do you witness with them? Let us cry out with the words of our psalm, "O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot," even as we approach His altar today. As we receive Him, let our eyes be opened to recognize His presence. Our hearts should burn as He speaks to us and with His witnesses "open[s] the Scriptures to us," and in His breaking of the bread we should see Him. 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 – that we see Him and know Him. Let all hear and understand that "He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time" for the sake of all. Yes, "the Lord has truly been raised." 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. YHWH, open our eyes and ears to see and hear of your glory, of the resurrection of your divine Son. 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. How slow of heart we are to believe! Open our hearts and minds to your Word. The Christ shall not know death and its corruption; He shall rise from the grave. This is declared to us by your prophets and kings, and is realized by all of faith. 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. O LORD, let us abound in joy forever in your presence. Walk with us, O God, and speak to us along the way. Reveal your presence in the Sacrament of the altar. You are our portion and cup. In hope of your glory we dwell this day.