Loosing the Bonds of Death--April 22, 2014

Pharaoh loosed the bonds of the Israelites

and hoped for a blessing while encircled by death.

We human beings know about death, though we try

to hide from it; and we find it hard to accept.

Yet harder to accept is resurrection from death,

and that you caused it to be through a human being.

Encircled by the bonds of death, release us, O God;

join us to the resurrection of Jesus the servant.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116

Exod. 12:28-39

1 Cor. 15:12-28

Mark 16:9-20

Selected Verses

Ps. 116:16

 O LORD, I am your servant;
          I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
          You have loosed my bonds. 

Exod. 12:32

"…Take your flocks and your herds, as you said, and be gone.  And bring a blessing on me too!"  [Pharaoh to Moses and Aaron]

1 Cor. 15:21

For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being…

Mark 16:11

But when [those who had been with Jesus] heard that he was alive and had been seen by her [Mary Magdalene], they would not believe it.