A message from our Vicar
Dear all,
Happy Easter!
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone,
which was very large, had been rolled away.
8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb.
They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid. (Mark 16: 4, 8))
Spring is finally here and, along with the signs of "new life" in the earth comes the hope of "new life" for all of us as we celebrate Easter recalling Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us – his dying and rising to ‘new life.’
We are all also looking forward to ‘new life’ as we welcome the long-awaited easing of restrictions. All being well, we will soon be able to see and hug family and friends that we haven’t for a long time! What a precious moment that will be.
This week, as we are making a new Easter candle and putting the date on it, there was a moment of pause as we noticed the previous date on the candle was 2019 and not 2020. This means we have missed a whole year in our church calendar and our life. It will be good to admit that and take time to reflect as we move into this new season. We cannot put back time, and all that has happened. There will also be moments of sadness for those no longer with us, mixed in with the hope of this new beginning.
So, it will be a different Easter this year. We won't celebrate in the traditional ways we cherish. Many churches won't gather in-person at all; even as we gather in-person, it is with many restrictions. Interestingly appointed Gospel reading this year come from Mark’s gospel with it is slow Easter. No glimpses of the risen Jesus, no shout of joy and no Easter proclamation. Instead, a response with "alarm", "terror, "bewilderment", and "amazement." Maybe this is what we need this year. We hope Mark's version of the Easter story will affirm those among us who feel whispering "Alleluias" rather than shouting it. It demonstrates to us that it is okay to proclaim that "Christ is risen!" in the wake of the memories of last year. We can receive the good news of the Resurrection slowly. Hold it, savour it, and ponder it as closely as we can at this moment. It is trustworthy, and it will wait for you.
When we think about the cross, we may think of dead, bare wood, but in the Church of San Clemente in Rome, there is a glittering 12th-century mosaic (see here) showing Jesus on a cross that turns into a living tree. The cross is alive, sprouting branches and shoots with birds perching on it – a tree of life between earth and heaven. What a lovely image to represent the hope that is there if we only open our hearts to it.
As to every grave that has been filled this year, the empty grave of Christ speaks hope this Easter. Against every force trying to lock our lives and communities down, like the cross and tomb tried vainly to bind Jesus; the church surefootedly proclaims Christ resurrection, whether whispering or shouting!
Happy Easter!
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone,
which was very large, had been rolled away.
8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb.
They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid. (Mark 16: 4, 8))
Spring is finally here and, along with the signs of "new life" in the earth comes the hope of "new life" for all of us as we celebrate Easter recalling Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us – his dying and rising to ‘new life.’
We are all also looking forward to ‘new life’ as we welcome the long-awaited easing of restrictions. All being well, we will soon be able to see and hug family and friends that we haven’t for a long time! What a precious moment that will be.
This week, as we are making a new Easter candle and putting the date on it, there was a moment of pause as we noticed the previous date on the candle was 2019 and not 2020. This means we have missed a whole year in our church calendar and our life. It will be good to admit that and take time to reflect as we move into this new season. We cannot put back time, and all that has happened. There will also be moments of sadness for those no longer with us, mixed in with the hope of this new beginning.
So, it will be a different Easter this year. We won't celebrate in the traditional ways we cherish. Many churches won't gather in-person at all; even as we gather in-person, it is with many restrictions. Interestingly appointed Gospel reading this year come from Mark’s gospel with it is slow Easter. No glimpses of the risen Jesus, no shout of joy and no Easter proclamation. Instead, a response with "alarm", "terror, "bewilderment", and "amazement." Maybe this is what we need this year. We hope Mark's version of the Easter story will affirm those among us who feel whispering "Alleluias" rather than shouting it. It demonstrates to us that it is okay to proclaim that "Christ is risen!" in the wake of the memories of last year. We can receive the good news of the Resurrection slowly. Hold it, savour it, and ponder it as closely as we can at this moment. It is trustworthy, and it will wait for you.
When we think about the cross, we may think of dead, bare wood, but in the Church of San Clemente in Rome, there is a glittering 12th-century mosaic (see here) showing Jesus on a cross that turns into a living tree. The cross is alive, sprouting branches and shoots with birds perching on it – a tree of life between earth and heaven. What a lovely image to represent the hope that is there if we only open our hearts to it.
As to every grave that has been filled this year, the empty grave of Christ speaks hope this Easter. Against every force trying to lock our lives and communities down, like the cross and tomb tried vainly to bind Jesus; the church surefootedly proclaims Christ resurrection, whether whispering or shouting!
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