Reflection for the Third Sunday of EasterScripture:'But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say… Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.’' (Acts of the Apostles 2.14a,36)Reflection: This is Simon the fisherman, nicknamed ‘Rock’ by Jesus, the same Peter who was so close to Jesus but was afraid to admit it when Jesus was on trial for his life. Now he has become the bold speaker who will not be silenced. Why? Because he has been convinced that the death of Jesus the man had not been an end but a beginning. The new Peter is himself compelling evidence for the resurrected Jesus. By their transformation, he and Jesus’s other disciples and followers lived out God’s power to release any or all of us from our personal demons.Jesus, crucified and risen, shows us we are loved with “a love stronger than death”.David Harmsworth
Reflection for the Second Sunday of EasterScripture:'But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’’ '(John 20:24-29)Reflection:Would you have believed them? You had popped out for a smoke, or a loaf of bread, or gone to work or to visit your mum - whatever it was he was doing that day. And when you returned, your chums were all churned up and talkative – apparently, HE had been there – while YOU were away! But you all knew, and that was a fact – that HE was dead. And not only dead, but executed. So, Tommy was right to be more than just a little sceptic. He could be forgiven for wanting some tangible proof. Luckily, he did not have to wait long.Because Jesus, knowing his dear friend Tommy better than even he knew himself, turned up again and gave him the learning experience that was right and necessary for him. By giving him the opportunity to take in with his senses the reality of our Lord’s being alive again, could Thomas come to true belief, to true faith in Jesus Christ, the Risen One. Jesus goes on to praise those who come to believe although they have not had that opportunity for verifying the truth of those claims by touch and sight. I urge you to claim that joy for yourself, truly rejoicing in the truth and glory of the Easter Hope, the salvation of our souls through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – our Risen Lord! He is risen indeed - Alleluia! Revd Ylva
