An Ignatian Easter Prayer by Joseph Tetlow

I’m excited to be leading two groups of people through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola this year and we have just started praying the theme of the resurrection. I find myself inspired by Joseph Tetlow, a Jesuit master of the Exercises. He has written some great prayer-poems, and in this Easter season, I offer you this one.

Free Indeed

You did a marvel, Lord Jesus Christ,
and make me feel beside myself in surprise.

My spirit glistens with Your rising.

I smile and smile with You,
I am drowning in the laughter of Your friends.

You have won, Lord, we know You have won!

You have defeated all the worst that we could do,

each alone and all together.

You crushed the power of darkness and of death

to walk peacefully again in our flesh,

now and forever.

Come to me, great Lord of life,

as You come to all your friends.

Send me to console those around me who hurt.

Come, and send Your friends into this daily world

to labor full of hope for the Reign of God.

-Joseph Tetlow -Choosing Christ In The World (A guide to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.)

If you are interested in praying the Ignatian Exercises with me starting in September, please contact me. You can also read more here.

Resurrection of Jesus Icon

Resurrection: An Ignatian Guided Prayer

Resurrection: An Ignatian Guided prayer

It is Easter Sunday morning and you are there at the tomb before daybreak and you are allowed to experience the resurrection.  

The Father and the Spirit come to the tomb, to raise you from the dead.  They are experiencing great loss. Jesus is dead and they miss him. The angel rolls away the stone and they enter the tomb.

The Father proclaims, “Death, you are defeated. Death, you are broken. Death, release your prey.”  The Spirit breathes life into your body. They unwrap the grave clothes from your body. You open your eyes.  You sit up. You feel new life in your veins. Death leaves your body. You are filled with Joy. The Trinity embraces with joy, together again, separated no more. The world is right again.  All the pain and suffering and injury are healed in you, leaving only scars. And you are filled with love, love for your people, love everywhere. You have conquered death. You have won the victory. 

(Now the scene shifts as Jesus comes to you.)

Jesus turns to you and says, “you have accompanied me in my passion and death. You died with me, now receive new life with me.” You run to him and you embrace. He says, “I love you. It is so good to see you again. It’s so good to be alive and to be with you again.”

And Jesus says, “It’s good to be alive.  My dying was terrible. I was abandoned and forsaken. The whole world turned against me and crushed me. Evil triumphed and destroyed me. See I still have the marks. Bitter death overcame me, but now I am raised in power to new life.” 

And you say to Jesus, “Oh, Jesus, it has been so hard to see you suffer and walk this path.  There is an ocean of grief in me. It’s hard to even take in that you are alive. Part of me still suffers with you in your passion.” You begin to weep.  Jesus embraces you again and says, “I give you my joy.” 

Suddenly you are filled with and overwhelmed with joy.  His joy fills and overflows you. Everything is good; everything is right. You stand there for a long time, just being together.  Your heart is filled with peace. Reunited with Jesus.

Take some time to talk with Jesus. Say what is on your heart and mind.

© Dale Gish 2020. All Rights Reserved.

If you are interested in praying the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius with me starting in September, please contact me.

Christ's Descent into Hell Fresco at Monastery of Saint-Antoine-le-Grand

Prayer for an Easter Potluck Feast

Jesus, the sky went dark when you died

And the world grew cold

What joy could the world have without you

True source of love

We felt the emptiness, the hopelessness, the despair

When you died the best part of us died as well

And then this morning you rose from the dead

With joy in your heart

Blood pumping through your veins

Eyes opened to the light once again

Death defeated

Satan conquered

Sins atoned

Forgiveness won

We are untied with you once more

We rejoice with you

overflowing with new life

Super bloom of all super blooms

Spectacular redemption

Torrent of hope

Jesus, you are alive and at work among us

We are filled with your presence

Our hearts break out into song

Rejoicing in your victory

And did you say you wanted something to eat?

You’ve come to the right place, Jesus

We welcome you to this feast

We eat it with you

Jesus Christ, living one, firstborn from the dead

We celebrate your resurrection

Amen and Amen

© Dale Gish 2019. All Rights Reserved.
This prayer was inspired by the Ignatian Exercises.

If you are interested in praying the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius with me starting in September, please contact me.