Praying the Communion Antiphon Series Eastertide: Friday of the Second Week of Easter

 Praying the Communion Antiphon Series

He Is Risen As He Said

 Friday of the Second Week of Easter — Given from Heaven

Communion Antiphon
“Christ our Lord was handed over for our transgressions and was raised again for our justification, alleluia.” (cf. Romans 4:25)

 

 1. Thinking about the Words

“Handed over… raised again…”

Two movements:

• given
• and raised

 

 Handed over

Not taken.
Not lost.

Given.

There is love here—deliberate, self-giving love.

 

 Raised again

Not the end.
Not defeat.

But:

 new life breaking through

 

And then:

for our justification

This is a big word… but very gentle in meaning.

It means:

• being set right
• being restored
• being brought back into right relationship with God

 

2. The Gospel Connection — Encounter

Today’s Gospel (Gospel of John 6:1–15) brings us to the feeding of the five thousand.

A large crowd.
A real need.

 

The disciples see:

 not enough
 limitation
what cannot be done

 

Jesus sees:

what can be given

 

A small offering:

• five loaves
• two fish

 

And then:

He takes
He gives thanks
He distributes

And there is more than enough.

 

 3. Holding the Antiphon and Gospel together

The antiphon says:

 He was handed over… He was raised

The Gospel shows:

 He takes what is given… and multiplies it

 

There is a deep connection:

• Christ gives Himself
• and from that self-gift comes abundance

 

4. For Us — Where is Resurrection today?

Where do I feel:

• not enough
• limited
• unsure what I can offer

 

Today gently invites:

 What do I have?

Not what I lack.

 

And then:

Can I place this in His hands?

 

Because what we give:

• small
• imperfect
• ordinary

…He can use.

 

 A quiet question

Am I focusing on what I do not have…
or am I willing to offer what I do have?

 

This Communion antiphon flows so gently from the week:

• learning to trust
• learning to receive
• and now…
  learning to offer

 

 5. Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You were given for me
and raised to bring me life.

When I feel that what I have is not enough,
help me to place it in Your hands.

Take what I offer today,
however small,
and use it for Your purposes.

Bring forth life where I see only limitation.

Alleluia.