New life is the theme of Easter as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. When Mary came to the tomb early that morning, she found not only that the stone had been rolled away, but the risen Jesus standing nearby. The Gospel writer, John, tells us that at first Mary didn’t recognise Jesus.
This initial non-recognition of Jesus became a feature of his post-resurrection appearances to the disciples. Like when the disciples were fishing and they didn’t recognise Jesus standing on the shore, or the two disciples walking to Emmaus who didn’t know at first that their companion was Jesus.
It was the same Jesus, but he was somehow different.
Life never stays the same. To be alive is to change. The writer Kate Bruce remarks, “Hope does not return to the old state of being. It propels us towards something new.
Few people like change.
There’s an old joke about how many Anglicans it takes to change a light bulb! One answer is ten. One to change the bulb, four to argue about how to change the bulb, and five to comment on how much better the old bulb was!
If things changed for the disciples after the resurrection, they changed completely after the Ascension. Yet in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, bestowed in all its fulness at Pentecost, they went on confidently to proclaim the Gospel and to build the church. Even though circumstances had changed and many challenges faced them, they pressed ahead, looking forward rather than backwards.
I know that ministry has been fruitfully sustained in Holy Trinity and St Michael’s over this past year. It is thanks to Julie, Ministry Team, Church Wardens and all who have been so supportive, that the love of God has remained so evident in this time of interregnum. And now, as the disciples did, we look forward with hope to all that is to come.
I look forward to worshipping with you this Ascension Day May 14th at St Peters Church at 7.30pm with our friends in the local Church of England churches.
May we look forward to new life, as we celebrate Ascension and Pentecost.
Every blessing,
Anne