The Uncluttered Heart is your companion through the busy weeks of Advent and Christmas. Published by Upper Room Books. Learn more.
Beth A. Richardson
Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 2:00AM 
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
- John 20:18 (NRSV)
Audio Lectio for Easter Sunday: Pray Luke 24:1-12.
Scripture Readings for Easter Sunday (March 31)
Photo Credit: © Beth A. Richardson. Dogwood bloom outside The Upper Room.Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 2:00AM 
We wait in sorrow and in hope.
They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. ... And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
- John 19:40, 42 (NRSV)
Friday, March 29, 2013 at 2:00AM 
Healed by his bruises.
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.
- Isaiah 53:4-5 (NRSV)
Audio Lectio for Good Friday: Pray the scriptures with us. The reading for today is John 19:31-32.
Scripture Readings for Good Friday (March 29)
Photo Credit: © Beth A. Richardson. On the wall near the cemetery in Vernazza, Italy.Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 2:00AM 
Eat and drink ... and remember.
When Jesus had given thanks, he broke [the bread] and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
- 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 (NRSV)
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 2:00AM 
Take heart. Watch. Wait. Pray.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
- Hebrews 12:1-3 (NRSV)