Welcome to this online retreat. 

As we continue through the Stations of the Resurrection we pause in the Upper Room, the Cenacle, in Jerusalem where the disciples remain huddled and fearful. 

There is much in these scenes that resonate today, having been locked away during the pandemic. Online is a great way to connect, but these stations remind us of our need for bodily presence, not least that real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, discussed in the first video.  

Thank you for joining us on this Easter journey.

Fr Brendan

We are used to following the Stations of the Cross, the Via Crucis, but in more recent years there have developed another set of Stations to supplement and complete them - the Stations of the Resurrection, the Via Lucis. 

There is no definitive list, but this is close to the typical one. 

Via Lucis: Stations of the Resurrection

1. Jesus is raised from the dead (Matthew 28:1-10)

 2. The Discovery of the Empty Tomb (John 20:1-10)

 3. Mary Magdalene meets the risen Christ (John 20:11-18)

 4. The Risen Lord Appears on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-27)

 5. Christ is Known at the Breaking of Bread (Luke 24:28-35)

 6. The Risen Lord Appears to His Disciples in Jerusalem (Luke 24:36-43)

 7. The Risen Lord Gives the Disciples the Power to Forgive Sins (John 20:19-23)

 8. The Risen Lord Strengthens the Faith of Thomas (John 20:24-29)

 9. The Risen Lord Appears by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-14)

 10. The Questions to Peter (Primacy of Peter) (John 21:15-17, 19b)

 11. The Great Commission on the Mountain (Matthew 28:16-20)

12. The Ascension of Christ (Acts 1:6-12a)

13.  Mary and the Disciples wait in Prayer (Acts 1:12-14)

14. The Holy Spirit Descends at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13)

To read more of its history:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stations_of_the_Resurrection

“How can I find the wounds of Jesus today? I cannot see them as Thomas saw them. I find them in doing works of mercy, in giving to the body — to the body and to the soul, but I stress the body — of your injured brethren, for they are hungry, thirsty, naked, humiliated, slaves, in prison, in hospital. These are the wounds of Jesus in our day”.

“We must touch the wounds of Jesus, caress them. We must heal the wounds of Jesus with tenderness. We must literally kiss the wounds of Jesus.”   

“What Jesus asks us to do with our works of mercy is what Thomas asked: to enter his wounds”. 

Pope Francis, Feast of St Thomas 2013

ST LUKE

Jesus appears to the apostles 

36 They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you!" 37 In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 But he said, "Why are you agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have." 40- And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. 41 Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumfounded; so he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42 And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, 43 which he took and ate before their eyes. 

ST JOHN

Appearance to the disciples 

19 In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, "Peace be with you," 20 and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, 21 and he said to them again, "Peace be with you. 

"As the Father sent me, 

so am I sending you." 

22 After saying this he breathed on them and said: 

"Receive the Holy Spirit. 

23 For those whose sins you forgive, 

they are forgiven; 

for those whose sins you retain, 

they are retained." 

24 Thomas called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 When the disciples said, "We have seen the Lord," he answered, "Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe." 26 Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among tem, "Peace be with you," he said. 27 Then he spoke to Thomas, "Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe." 28 Thomas replied, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him: 

"You believe because you can see me. 

Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe."

The above painting by painted in 1601-2 1606. It is housed in the Sanssouci Picture Gallery, now a museum, in Potsdam, Germany.

“We do not know… how can we know the way?”

Courageous master of the awkward question,

You spoke the words the others dared not say

And cut through their evasion and abstraction.

Oh doubting Thomas, father of my faith,

You put your finger on the nub of things

We cannot love some disembodied wraith,

But flesh and blood must be our king of kings.

Your teaching is to touch, embrace, anoint,

Feel after Him and find Him in the flesh.

Because He loved your awkward counter-point

The Word has heard and granted you your wish.

Oh place my hands with yours, help me divine

The wounded God whose wounds are healing mine.

Malcolm Guite is an Anglian priest and poet who writes some splendid sonnets. See his website and hear him read the poem himself:  

Malcolm Guite Website