Rector's Thoughts

EASTER THOUGHT

                                                            Happy Easter, Alleluia, Alleluia!

We live in a very complex world. There’s so much false information and propaganda. So often we see people living a lie because they are unable to accept who they are. Jesus calls all of us to live in the light and love of God. Often people are unwilling to accept their shadow self, the part of their life which is in the shadows can only be touched by God if they allow God in. The story of Holy Week is about Jesus facing up to the beauty and brokenness of our world. Jesus sees good in the people who live on the margins. Jesus sees the kindness and potential of so many people. In Holy Week Jesus did some powerful actions. On Palm Sunday he entered the Holy City, not on a warhorse depicting power and authority. No, Jesus entered on a donkey – the prince of peace came in trustful humility. The fickle crowds sang ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ but a few days later the same crowd screamed ‘Crucify, Crucify’. On Holy Thursday Jesus shared the normal liturgy (way of praying) and he added a bit. He took off his outer clothing and tied a towel around his waist and he washed his followers’ feet. He took on the role of a servant. Though Jesus` words were powerful His action were more so. Jesus commanded – ‘you must do likewise’. We must do likewise, we must serve our families, our communities, and in some ways our world. Sometimes people need to remember that the ‘Children of God’ must be servants of all. Sometime we fall into the sin of pomposity, or worse self-righteousness, or being the ‘morality police’.

The Christian must be one who prays, serves and loves in the name of God. We’re the servants, God’s the only one who can judge. These costly actions I’ve just mentioned  are rooted in the total giving of himself on Good Friday. God in Jesus Christ died for all people, Jesus emptied Himself of everything to understand our own brokenness. On Holy Saturday there is a silent void. If you’ve lost someone you love, you know this void. Our loved one has died, it is too soon to register the death or speak to the funeral director. There are a million jobs to do but we are just sitting in a place, even a void, of loss.

Then on Easter Sunday, all changed, Jesus the Christ wasn’t resuscitated. He’d been well and truly dead for three days, and then the women went to anoint his broken and bloodied body, and Jesus was absent. In that absence is a promise of future glory. The human story doesn’t end in death but in the promise that you are very, very precious in the sight of God. We fall and we sometimes find it very hard to rise again. But Christ never leaves us, he’s with us when we’re on our knees and when we are celebrating with the joys of life. In Jesus all our sins are forgiven and our lives can have such wholeness if only we turn to Christ. And if we simply say sorry (and mean it) we are truly forgiven. So this Eastertide see yourself as God sees you. You are deeply loved, not because you are perfect, but because you are loved. Finally, please be very much assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones.

So, may God bless you this Easter Time, and may he hold you in his heart and tell you that you’re blessed.

With love & prayers.

Stephen Monk (Revd)