The Power of Easter

An Easter Poem

This painting is on the south wall of the refectory, opposite Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.  The refectory (basically a room for communal meals) is in the Dominican Monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. Photo: Beth Howe

The Crucifixion by  Donato Montorfano [1460 ca.-1502 ca.]

"The Crucifixion, painted with the fresco technique – unlike the Last Supper – is still well preserved. The scene occupies the whole wall and is set within a simple architectural frame."

 The Crucifixion, Donato Montorfano - Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano

 Inspired by:

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-4

 …and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matt 3:17

 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.  John 3:17

 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

For which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? Matthew 9:5

 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28

 When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which, they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Luke 24: 1-9

 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. Romans 6:22

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:8-11

 “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3

 And Jesus said, “I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:62

But from now on the Son of man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.  Luke 22:69

 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son.  John 5:22

Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone that judge, but I and he who sent me. Jn 8:16

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” Matthew 28: 18-20

 And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever. John 14:16

 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.  John 14:26

 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:21-23

 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:38

 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13

 For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.  Wisdom 13:5

 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

  “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31