From Caroline - [email protected], 01285 712467

Readings for Easter Sunday: Acts 10.34-43; 1 Corinthians 15.19-26; John 20.1-18

So we come at last to Easter Sunday, that holiest of days in our calendar. The day that all that Christ has been and done for us is brought to its conclusion – when all that was once hidden is revealed, and we and all disciples of Jesus are given the key to unlock and understand everything that has come before.

On this day we say it loud and clear, “Christ is Risen!”. And with his rising, we too are lifted and freed. Everything Jesus has gone through has been for this. All his teachings, all his wisdom, all those moments of miraculous healing and God-given generosity, all the suffering and pain – all these things are finally brought into their right focus. Because in Jesus’ resurrection we see his victory over darkness and pain and suffering. In this moment death itself is defeated – for Jesus, and for all who follow him.

In our readings on this glorious morning we are given a glimpse of both the cosmic and the personal implications of this victory. First, in Act and in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we see the cosmic perspective – eternal life offered and received through Jesus. “For as all die in Adam,” says Paul, “so all will be made alive in Christ”. Death is no longer an end, but a temporary sleep, that will give way to light and life with the dawn.

Secondly, in John’s gospel, we see the personal power of this wonderful victory. Mary, Peter, and Jesus’ beloved disciple, all love Jesus so deeply. Peter and his fellow disciple are given a glimpse of hope, with the empty tomb, the folded grave-clothes, and we see the effect of just that hope on them both. But in Mary we see the impact of seeing her risen Lord. We see what that means – to love someone and to see them raised from death. We see her pain give way to joy and wonder – a joy and wonder we will share, when we too see those we have loved and lost once more.

Both are ours, and given to us to understand – the big picture and the powerful personal experience of love.

On this day we celebrate with Mary, the return of our Lord, and in him receive the hope and joy of a life without end for everyone else we love. It is real. It is tangible. And it is ours. He rises. And we rise with him. May this enormous love and hope take root in us all, this Eastertime. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Rev’d Caroline

There will be no Morning Prayer in the week commencing 21st April while Rev’d Caroline is on annual leave. We’ll be back in action from the 28th April.