Scripture & Reflection - Sunday 7th April - The Second Sunday of Easter Scripture‘We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.’ (1 John 1.1)‘Jesus said to Thomas: ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe’.’ (John 20.29)ReflectionThomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection, and he refused to believe their story without the evidence of his own eyes. Jesus did not rebuke him for his lack of faith, but gave him the proof he needed. We are not all the same, and the ‘proof’ needed to convince us of the truth varies from one person to another. Unless we deliberately exclude the possibility of finding that truth, God, who knows us through and through, will show us each our own path into the reality of his presence.Revd Rosemary
Scripture & Reflection - Sunday 31st March - EASTER DAYScriptureAs they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16 5-8)ReflectionHold on a minute!! The women have arrived at the tomb to find the stone rolled away, instead of Jesus’ body they encounter an angel who tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead and they are to be the messengers of this amazing news and follow Him!!That is a lot to take in, even though Jesus had been trying to tell them that this was how it would be - people do not just come back to life - especially after such an awful death. I am not sure about you, but I would have been rendered speechless, in fact, traumatised by this revelation.As we awake on this Easter morning my hope is that you will be filled with joy and wonder rather than terror and fear at the news that Jesus Lives!! And that you would be open to the invitation of His eternal love for you.Christ is risen, He is risen indeed - AlleluiaLyn Hayes, ALM
ScriptureMany people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ‘ (Mark 11. 8-10)ReflectionThis is the celebration chant the crowd sang as Jesus made his way into Jerusalem in the week before his death. They loved him and cheered him because they thought he was going to overthrow the Roman Empire and set them free. Indeed, he had come to set them free, but not in the way they thought.He had come to set them free from themselves - to show them a new way of living - one of love, compassion, unselfishness - a way of living that puts others first, doesn’t judge, and is inclusive and affirming to all. The cheering crowd on Palm Sunday thought he had come with great power and might to set them free from oppression. The same crowd crucified Him a few days later because He didn’t live up to their expectations. But Jesus had come with great power and love to set them free in a different way. The power of love is the power of Easter Sunday. Love conquered death, love won the victory and love is the message that Jesus brought then, and brings to us today. Love truly is the ‘reason for the season’. Vicki Young
