Tuesday 14th April

REFLECTION FOR TUESDAY 14TH APRIL

In the days following Easter Sunday, we find ourselves reading some of the different resurrection accounts. In three of the gospels the accounts are quite similar. The women go to the tomb early in the morning after the Sabbath in order to anoint the body of Jesus. Finding the tomb empty, they run and tell the disciples, who rush to see for themselves.

However in Mark’s gospel the ending is very different.

"When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, “Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?”

Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished.

He said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He’s been raised up; he’s here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now, on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You’ll see him there, exactly as he said.”

They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone."

Stunned, they said nothing to anyone."

The woman are locked down in fear and confusion, not sure what to believe, not sure what’s going to happen now, and they are so traumatised they cannot speak.

As the days go by of course, they will begin to get an understanding of what has happened, they will begin to realise that Jesus has risen and he will make himself known to them, and they will begin to give testimony to this.

Their lives are forever changed, and nothing will ever be the same again.

But in these initial moments they are filled with uncertainty.

A feeling that many are experiencing in these days of lockdown.

Never the less, Jesus is risen, and he is Lord of our lives, and who knows how he will make himself known to us and others in these days.

Life for all of us is forever changed, nothing will ever be the same again.

So many people have said how much they are appreciating church services on television and on-line.........and this often from people who before this lockdown would probably never think about Church or faith.

I know from speaking to people over the phone that they see changes in the lives of family and friends at this time. A lady I spoke to said, “I can see green shoots of faith appearing where once there was only dry dusty soil. it seems with all the commercial "trappings" associated with having the perfect Easter, what is left is the gospel, the good news of Jesus.

I asked yesterday if anyone had any thoughts to share from their journey this year during Holy week or Easter day.

I had this response almost immediately.

Holy week thought.

As I looked up to the beautiful skies, no vapour trails just amazing colours, a super moon; this hymn came into mind, 'for the beauty of the earth for the beauty of the skies for the love which from our birth over and around us lies Father unto You we raise this our sacrifice of praise' Moira x

Prayer.

Bless to us, O God, this day fresh made.

In the chorus of birds, bless us, in the scent of blossom, bless us.

In the wet grass and the spring flowers, bless us.

Bless us and heal us, for we come to you in love and trust.

We come to you in expectant hope.

O God, give us a well of tears to wash away the hurts of our lives.

O God, give us a well of tears to cleanse the wounds,

To bathe the battered face of our world.

Heal us and our broken world, of all that harms us.

By the power of your resurrection restore us to new life,

Set us on new paths, bring us from darkness into light,