Easter DayEach day we will take a look at a sentence from the Lord’s Prayer.For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her ‘Mary!’ John 20:16The egg, rabbit and branch are all symbols of Easter Day. The rabbit is based on the hare, which was a symbol of new life; a budding branch, a sign of spring after winter and the chocolate egg reminds us of the stone that rolled away.The women and disciples who went that day were amazed, frightened, confused. But very soon they were transformed by hope as they realised that Jesus was not dead but alive!Urgently called by Mary, Peter and a second disciple rush to the tomb. Something about the grave clothes makes them pause. John says the beloved disciple “saw and believed”, but immediately makes it clear that he didn't understand what he believed in because he hadn't yet learnt about the resurrection. Knowing in their hearts the presence of God's hand, they went home. “But Mary stood weeping...” Like Jesus' tears at the tomb of Lazarus, her tears gather up all the grief the world has ever known and all the sadness any of us feel. Angels, then Jesus, ask her, “Woman, why are you weeping, who are you seeking?”. It's obvious why someone would be weeping at a tomb, and doubly so when the tomb had been disturbed. So the question is a challenge rather than an enquiry. Who does Mary think Jesus is? Who did she ever think Jesus was? If he was a mere human being, she would be right to weep at his demise. Is this who she's looking for – a good man who ran out of options? Or does she seek the Son of God?Mary answers on the surface, but Jesus' question has begun to open her spirit. When he calls her by name, there is instant recognition. “Mary” “Teacher!” He has just taught her all over again. The message of Easter is like the rising of dawn in our hearts. Of course our world and our lives are still full of tears. At this very strange time for our world, country and us as families and individuals many are tearful and fearful. Some of us are struggling in our work situations; others are struggling at home or in our families; some have companions in the struggle, others bear the burden alone, and for others still it takes all their energy just to survive. Yet the resurrection of Jesus heralds the first day of a new creation and so it urges us to look beyond our struggles; to look with faith and to name them as temporary. To do this doesn't make our struggles any less: Jesus came to us because without him our struggles will never be diminished. Yet the reality of our struggles shows even more brightly the power of this new dawn which is displacing them. Have you seen a chrysalis? It looks and feels hard like a stone, dead even. But inside it is something amazing: from it will come a butterfly, flying to freedom.We look into the empty tomb and find that the terrible events of Good Friday have changed – it’s Good News. It’s the greatest mystery, the greatest miracle and the greatest Good News ever heard. As we hunt for and eat our eggs, see the signs of spring and watch butterflies emerge, let’s rejoice. This Easter, let's actively rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus. Our world needs to hear this Good News afresh this Easter 2020. And it is God, his Son, his power and his salvation we are seeking. A projectCelebrate – if you have given something up for Lent enjoy taking it up again – if that is possible in your current circumstances. Enjoy some chocolate eggs or a boiled egg to be reminded of the stone being rolled away. Look at a branch with new buds on to remind you of new life. Take a piece of a branch with buds on and place it with the Palm Cross, photo/names, battery, keys, bread, candle and glass of water to remind you of the new life you have in the risen Christ.Take some time over this next week of Easter to revisit the items collected and continue to use them if they are helpful in your prayers.PrayHalleluiah! Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Halleluiah! Thank you God for your creation and for each new day. Show me how I can help someone today.
Holy SaturdayEach day we will take a look at a sentence from the Lord’s Prayer.Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evilAs the body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw it carried into the tomb. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to embalm him; but by the time they were finished it was the Sabbath, so they rested all that day as required by the Jewish law. Luke 23:55-56.Although the women and the disciples appear to have kept to the letter of the law and observed the strict rules about travel and work, it seems probable that their minds took little rest that day. They may have been tempted to want to stay with Jesus’ body and continue with getting on with the burial rites of the time. But they retreat back to their homes and we are told they rested.There is great value in making Holy Saturday as quiet a day as possible. There is the temptation to over busy ourselves making the preparations for Easter Day. We need to take the example of the women and not be tempted, but rest.A projectThe early Christians renewed their Baptism vows on this day. Take a look at the Baptism Vows made today and decide whether they are questions you can answer as Easter dawns.Do you turn to Christ? I turn to Christ.Do you repent of your sins? I repent of my sinsDo you renounce evil? I renounce evilDo you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world….In his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed humankind….. In his Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God? I believe and trust in him.Place a small glass with water and place with the Palm Cross, photo/names, battery, keys, bread and candle, to remind you of the reaffirmation of baptismal promises.PrayLord, show me the things that tempt me away from you and help me to turn my back on them and focus only on you.
Wednesday of Holy Week reflectionEach day we will take a look at a sentence from the Lord’s Prayer.Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. You are God’s temple and God’s Spirit dwells in you 1 Corinthians 3:16Originally, the people who observed Lent were new converts to Christianity. Since they were all to be baptised together on Easter Day, Lent formed the final part of their Baptism preparation. The Lent readings included the story of the Transfiguration to show these young Christians that just as the likeness of his Father shone through the humanity of Jesus and transformed him, because the Holy Spirit lives in us and is at work in us, we can also be changed. In his Letters to the Corinthians, Paul uses powerful picture language to help us to understand.In the Book of Revelation Jesus tells us that he stands at the door and knocks. He is waiting outside the door of our life waiting to be invited in. When his life fills us, he transforms us and his glory shines through us. This is when God’s will is being done on earth and in heaven. A ProjectImagine that, day-to-day, Jesus literally knocks on your front door. You let him into your home, take him on a tour, invite him to take up residence there. How does it feel to have the King of Glory living with you? Can you hand over the keys of your life as well as your home to him? Place a set of keys (any old ones will do) with the Palm Cross, photo/names, battery to remind you that you have invited Jesus to live in your life and home.PrayerTalk to God about your reactions – the things you find difficult as well as the things which seem easier.‘I ask you Lord to rule over all parts of my life. Help me to let your light shine where ever I go.’
