EASTER MORNING
2014
These three days are a great time for reflection, and naturally enough reflection on the meaning of the resurrection. I have reflected on the time I led a group of pilgrims to Jerusalem. We visited 2 sites that claim to be the “tomb” where Jesus was laid. The first was within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; it is within the same building that al so encloses the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Close by Jesus’ tomb are other tombs - it was certainly a place where the dead were laid. Then outside the current “old City Walls” there is a place called the “garden tomb”, it is not far from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is a beautiful spot; the site has clear evidence that there was a garden, wine press and so on dating back to Jesus’ day. It is a place of deep tranquility in a chaotic and at times violent city. Which is the correct spot? It could be either; it could be an as yet undiscovered tomb. It doesn’t really matter; it doesn’t affect the story we are following. If it is either of these two places, my heart tells me it is the tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher: why? The other is just too nice. Jesus at his birth was born in a stable, his family had to flee to Egypt, his ministry was constantly under attack from the religious authorities, his life was always under threat. Such pure love attracted the attention of all that is wrong with human life, and today we sti ll see that our religion is still capable of bringing out the worst in people. And in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher we see the divisions of Christianity brought out in petty jealousies over territory – jealousies that often break out into violence. I think Jesus’ tomb would be there, rather than in a tranquil garden, there, amongst all the bad behaviour of humans, there, as a sign of judgement, there, to call us into the light and truth of the resurrection, first witnessed when the women came to the tomb early on the third day to anoint the body of Jesus’. Over the years I have ministered to good and faithful parishioners who have suffered some terrible terminal illnesses. Each of them were powerful witnesses to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus’ and the gift of eternal life that we are given through our faith in hi m. A number of those deaths were as a result of cancers that gave the patients and their carers a rough time: the outstanding feature in each case was the calm and peace with which each person died. They knew to whom they belonged and they had a rich and clear sense of where they were going John 14:2-4 (NRSV) 2 In
my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.”
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For me as their Priest, it was a tremendous privilege to be a part of their journey. A journey speaking very clearly of resurrection, the communion of saints, and the life of the world to come. Their journeys filled me with a new confidence in the things I believe and proclaim. The words of the Holy Saturday collect sums up the thought beautifully: Grant, Lord, that as we have been baptised into the death of your dear Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continually putting to death our sinful desires we may die to sin and be buried with him, and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection. Some years ago we had the “Global Financial Crisis” which in one way or another impinge on us all. The “crisis” highlighted so much of what is wrong with our western way of life. Money and commodities have become the idols of the 21 st century. They are worshipped and adored and nothing was deemed to be wrong if it allowed individuals to amass their fortunes. What a mes s we have created. And, the solutions offered showed how little we have learnt: throw buckets of money about, consume even more. It was heartening to listen to Church leaders over the past few days on and in the media with their Easter messages talking about our need to find out once more what it is to be human, about building community. And we have to look no further than the example of Jesus to find out how to embrace our humanity and be fully alive. Let us throw out the false idols that only bring tears and misery and get back to a true worship of God and be fully human, living as Disciples of Chri st. We have had the bush fires, Philippines a terrible Tornado Samoa a cyclone and then floods – each year there are so many “natural” disasters; some we can prepare for and perhaps prevent, others put us at the mercy of the forces of nature. Whether the disasters are natural, man-made or illness We do well to think of St Paul’s words in Romans 8: Romans 8:18-19 (NRSV) 18 I consider
that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 2
and Romans 8:22-24 (NRSV) 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved…..3 We can face these trials of life in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection: looking forward to that which St John the Divine spoke of has having been revealed to him: 1The
Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville 3The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville 2The
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Revelation 21:1 (NRSV)
The New Heaven and the New Earth
“21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” 4
The Good News of Jesus’ resurrection fills us with hope. It gives us a new way of living. The gift of the Holy Spirit fills us with the presence of God and gives to us the gifts, which help us through our journey; In his Letter to the Galatians Paul speaks of these as the fruit of the spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 (NRSV) The Fruit of the Spirit
(Cp Col 3.12—13) 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 5
Today as celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, let us live showing its truth and glory living fruitful, spirit filled lives. CHRIST IS RISEN!
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Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville
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