Jesus is Risen
Dear Friends,
In the calendar of the church year, the start of April takes us from the dark gloom of Good Friday to the bright light of Easter. We first travel with Jesus on the way of the cross, and we see him suffer and die – a story of darkness we can all too easily identify with in these days of warfare and global conflict. But then – against all the odds – we see Jesus rise, and the grave left empty. Death and darkness do not have the final say. Not then, and not now.
We are lucky in the Northern Hemisphere to remember these stories when at the same time we observe the powerful energy of the sun defeat the dark season of winter. It all comes together beautifully: ‘Morning has broken like the first morning, blackbird has spoken like the first bird.’
Meanwhile, people living in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate Easter at the end of their summer season, when the days start growing shorter. There is something meaningful about that too. As the darkness starts to close in, they are reminded that it will only be dark temporarily.
It is so very important to remember that! It may be spring outside in our part of the world, but when we look at the news, it feels like we are spiraling into darkness at the same time. War, violence, indifference, hatred, suffering, poverty – the list goes on.
Jesus comes to us and says: Peace be with you. Do not be afraid. He shows us his hands and feet, still marked by the wounds of the crucifixion, but no longer causing him any pain or suffering. He shows us a new tomorrow. A world transformed by the power of sacrificial love. And he invites us to share in his mission of restoration and redemption. Alleluiah, Christ is Risen!
