Easter Week: Behold a New Creation in Christ!
For a printable list of all of this week's resources, click here.
PRAY with Creation
 Christ is risen! Alleluia! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
This Easter Week of great rejoicing offers many opportunities to behold and engage in a new creation in Christ. As the glory of Easter Sunday extends throughout the week, the Psalms and Canticles of Morning and Evening Prayer for Sunday are repeated each day. We offer the following reflections on these Scripture passages and suggested intercessions for each day of Easter Week for your individual and community prayer. Each intercession corresponds sequentially with the themes of our Lenten journey, which we revisit in the light of the Resurrection.
 Morning Prayer
Ps 63:2-9
Dn 3:57-88
Ps 149
What better words could we find to express the joy of a new creation than those of Daniel 3:57-88? In these verses, the human person represents one of myriad creatures (some of whom Francis identified in his Canticle) who exist to bless the Lord. As we focused during Lent on repairing our relationships with all of creation, may our words and all the actions of our lives join the chorus of praise. As the voice of creation, we too can exclaim, “My soul shall savor the rich banquet of praise, with joyous lips my mouth shall honor you!” (Ps. 63:6)
 Evening Prayer
Ps 110:1-5, 7
Ps 114
Rev 19:1-7
We tremble along with the earth described in Psalm 114, as we recognize God’s triumphant sovereignty. We say to God: “In your presence the earth both trembles and stands still, for you have shattered death’s power by the cross” (Psalm-Prayer for Ps. 76). “The wedding day of the Lamb” (a symbol of God’s imminent reign) “has come” (Rev. 19:7), and we are invited! Though not yet complete, God’s new creation has begun. How are we as Church, the Bride of Christ, preparing ourselves to participate fully in this new creation?
Intercessions
Monday
Through you all things were made,
--by the light of your resurrection, help us to know and love your creation.
Tuesday
You are the spotless Lamb who takes away the sins of the world,
--may we show your creatures the mercy you have shown us.
Wednesday
The waters of our baptism give us new life in you,
--help us to preserve this gift of your love.
Thursday
As you are the firstfruits of those who rise from death,
--guide us to heal the earth and offer you fitting firstfruits from the land.
Friday
As we celebrate our rebirth in you,
--may we seek replenishment for all the earth.
Saturday
Guide us as we continue to journey with you,
--that our lives may bring all creation closer to fulfillment.
PROCLAIM the Good News in word and deed
Encounters with the Resurrected Christ brought the disciples back together to form the Christian community of faith. Their legacy and our own encounters with the Risen Lord strengthen our faith and encourage us to proclaim the Good News of right relationship with each other and with God’s creation. This Easter Season, FAN suggests ways that our communities can share the joy of this reconciliation with the wider world. We welcome your stories of how you are responding communally to the new creation in Christ!
ACT to restore right relationship with Sister Water
“Access to water is in fact one of the inalienable rights of every human being, because it is a prerequisite for the realization of the majority of the other human rights, such as the rights to life, to food and to health…. [T]he management of this precious resource must enable all to have access to it, especially those who live in conditions of poverty, and must guarantee the liveability of the planet for both the present and future generations.”
(Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Water Day 2007)
“Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.”
(St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Creatures)
Having fasted from bottled water and reflected on God’s gift of water during Lent, we continue to learn more about these challenges and act to support public access to water:
- Take the “Think Outside the Bottle” Pledge and encourage other members of your family, parish, or community to do so as well.
- Write a letter (PDF) to encourage Coca-Cola board member Alexis Herman, who received a Catholic education at every level and worked for Catholic Charities, to state on Dasani labels that its water comes from municipal sources. Pepsi’s Aquafina and Nestlé’s Pure Life have changed their labels to disclose that they come from public water sources. Coca-Cola has yet to do so.
- Tell your Governor to “Think Outside the Bottle.” Most state governments spend millions of taxpayer dollars each year to buy bottled water. More than 1,000 mayors have resolved to end government spending on bottled water. Governors in New York, Virginia, and Illinois have done so as well, and Connecticut and Maryland are close. Sign a letter to your Governor to promote public water systems.
- Watch “The Story of Bottled Water” (8 minutes) by Annie Leonard with your community. Rather than blaming corporations for our choices, FAN emphasizes mutual responsibility. May our actions reflect what we know about the impact of bottling water on creation and access to this gift.
 ACT to share Franciscan values on Earth Day
“Praised be You my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.”
(St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Creatures)
More than one billion persons around the world observe Earth Day on April 22. This year marks the 40th anniversary of this celebration. What an appropriate occasion to proclaim the Franciscan voice!
- Find ideas and resources for observing Earth Day , especially with youth. You can also view a webinar on the subject.
- Hundreds of cities around the country and the world will host a “Global Day of Conversation” on or around April 22 to discuss care for creation concerns. The diverse group of attendees and public officials need to hear the Franciscan message. Please contact Christy Elliott at FAN if you would like to participate in one of these conversations or to learn more about the locations.
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