Reflection for Easter Day Scripture:5But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ (Matthew 28:5-7)Reflection:Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!It is no wonder that Mary Magdalene and the others were anxious and scared. They had come to the tomb to “pay their respects” – as we would say – at the grave of their dear friend who had been killed….and the grave was open….and his body was not there. And then…. an angel appeared to them! Not an everyday occurrence!But nor is a resurrection an everyday occurrence!“Do not be afraid,” the angel tries to reassure them. They are witnessing the most incredible event EVER. The angel instructs them to go and tell the disciples.And as they obey what the angel has said, then they meet the risen Jesus….Wow!!! Then they know. Then they “fall on their feet and worship him”. We too can worship our risen Lord today.Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!Happy Easter. Revd David
Reflection for Palm SundayThursday Evening, in the Garden of Olives:Peter said to Jesus: ‘Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ (Matt. 26. 33-35)Just a few hours later, in the courtyard of the high priest:After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’ At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matt. 26.73-75). Peter, so sure of himself, so confident in his discipleship, is devastated when he realises what he has done. Judas, who deliberately betrayed Jesus, is unable to live with himself and commits suicide. But in due course Peter, humbled by his failure, accepting his weakness and his dependence on the grace and mercy of God, grows in stature to become the ‘Rock’ that Jesus said he would be. All of us know failure in some form, large or small. It may be shattering to discover our own weakness, but it can lead to a new understanding of ourselves, and a more realistic view of our need for God’s grace if we are to become what we were made to be. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor.12.9)Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen
