Resurrection eyes

By Steven Polley

Director, Office of Youth Ministry

The conversation took place one day last week with Dave Myers in the parking lot of the Chancery. I was wanting to know when the next deadline was for me to get this column done. Dave told and I shared with him that I still had not came up with a topic. But like in the past, I felt that the Holy Spirit would guide me to find something to write about. You know, something new and dynamic that would simply have you sitting on the edge of your seat as you read this.

But nothing came. Oh well, I was not too concerned; maybe the Holy Spirit would lead me to something during my Adoration hour. The hour came and went and still nothing. But as I returned home and crawled back into bed to try and get a little more sleep before the day ahead, I simply was having trouble getting back to sleep. My mind was already running at full speed. Then the words, “Resurrection Eyes” jumped into my head. Where had I heard these words before? After thinking about this for a couple of minutes it came to me: the prayer service used Sunday mornings of our TEC weekend.

With that I would like to share with you the main content of this prayer. I pray that as you celebrate this season of Easter that these words will draw you in and help you on your journey.

“Shalom! My friends. Shalom! Behold I am with you still. My Father loves you as he has loved me. He has restored my life to me so that I can continue to live among you. Remember the warm Spring day by the Lake in Galilee when I spoke about how the lilies of the field neither toil nor spin, and yet my Father clothes them with such glory. Remember how I told you that not even a sparrow falls to the ground unless my Father is aware of it. If my Father’s love reaches to even these, the least of his Kingdom, how much more does he care for you.

“I have risen now, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, I can live in your minds and hearts. Each of your hearts are part of my heart, each of your spirits are part of my spirit. Through my grace, we can become one in mind, in heart and in spirit. I now live in you and you live in me. Together we must bring my Father’s love to the whole world.

“I died so that you may live in this new and wonderful way. You must die to yourselves so that my love may live in your love and together we can build the Kingdom of Love to fill the earth. Do not lose heart. Remember my Father said he would give you anything you ask for in my name. Do not be afraid. I will always walk at your side as your silent friend.

“You are my friends. Come join my circle of friends down through the centuries. Together we can become co-redeemers by changing the darkness of the world into resurrection light. With my friend Francis, let us look at the world with resurrection eyes. Where there is hatred, let us bring love, where there is sorrow, let us bring joy, where there is despair, let us bring hope. It will then be my joy to see the world through your eyes, to touch the world through your hands, and to love the world with you heart.

“Go out into the whole world and proclaim the Good News that my Father loves them, that I love them, and that I live in and through you. Spread the good news! Be the Good News! And behold, I shall be with you to the end of time.” -- Jesus