The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
the LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
“The day will come,
says the LORD,
when I will do for Israel and Judah
all the good things I have promised them.
In that day Judah will be saved,
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
And this will be its name:
’The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’”
“‘…go find my brothers and tell them,
“I am ascending to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them,
“I have seen the Lord!”
Then she gave them his message.
“Dear woman, why are you crying?”
the angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied,
“and I don’t know where they have put him.”
She turned to leave and saw someone standing there.
It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.
“Dear woman, why are you crying?”
Jesus asked her.
“Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener.
“Sir,” she said,
“if you have taken him away,
tell me where you have put him,
and I will go and get him.”
“Mary!” Jesus said.
My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life,
and they will never perish.
No one can snatch them away from me,
for my Father has given them to me,
and he is more powerful than anyone else.
No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
No one can take my life from me.
I sacrifice it voluntarily.
For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to
and also to take it up again.
For this is what my Father has commanded.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.
But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon,
that your faith should not fail.
So when you have repented and turned to me again,
strengthen your brothers.”
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives,
and his disciples followed him.
On reaching the place, he said to them,
“Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them,
knelt down and prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.
yet not my will, but yours be done.”
“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars.
On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity
at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
Men will faint from terror,
apprehensive of what is coming on the world,
for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
At that time they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
When these things begin to take place,
stand up and life up your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near.”
