Lord,
today feels like Easter –
sunshine and birdsong outside
and a sense of hope and forgiveness
in my heart.

As I settle down in prayer
my mind fills
with those occasions
when you appeared to your disciples
after your resurrection.
Those appearances were times
of gentleness, patience
and forgiveness
as you walked and talked with your disciples
on the way to Emmaus
before breaking bread with them
and as you sat
by the shores of the sea of Tiberius
with your disciples
chatting and eating grilled fish.

Lord,
in this season of Easter
give me the grace to display towards others
the same gentleness, patience
and forgiveness
that you have shown towards me
so that, in my life,
I may spread the light of Easter
instead of holding onto
the darkness of the past.

© Claire Murray, 2nd April 2016