Reflection from Bradley ScottMatthew 28: 1-15After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. (NIV)ReflectionMatthew’s resurrection account begins not with celebration, but with grief and trembling. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to the tomb carrying loss, only to find that God has already acted. The earthquake and the angel rolling back the stone announce that resurrection is not quiet or private, it is a decisive interruption. Death has been overthrown, not gently, but powerfully. The angel’s words, “Do not be afraid,” stand in sharp contrast to the reaction of the guards, who shake and become “like dead men.” Those meant to represent strength and authority are undone, while the women vulnerable and faithful, are comforted and entrusted with the message. Matthew highlights a reversal: God chooses unlikely witnesses and exposes the weakness of worldly power. The empty tomb is not offered as a puzzle to solve, but an invitation: “Come and see.” Only after seeing are the women sent to tell. As they run with fear and great joy, Jesus meets them on the way. Their obedience becomes the place of encounter. Fear has not disappeared, but joy now shapes it. The risen Christ receives their worship and sends them out in peace. The narrative then turns to the guards and religious leaders, who respond to the same empty tomb with denial and deception. Faced with resurrection, they choose control over truth. Matthew makes clear that disbelief is not caused by a lack of evidence, but by a refusal to surrender power. The resurrection demands a response either worship or resistance.This passage leaves us with a choice. Will we join the women in proclaiming life, or side with those who try to silence it? The tomb is empty, fear is confronted, and Jesus goes ahead of his followers. The only question is how we will respond. Let us PrayRisen Lord, you meet us at empty tombs and speak peace into our fear. When we come carrying grief, uncertainty, or doubt, remind us that you have already gone ahead of us.Give us the courage of the women who ran with fear and great joy, the faith to worship you when you meet us on the way, and the honesty to choose truth over comfort or control.Send us out as witnesses to your life and hope, trusting that death does not have the final word. Amen. Common Worship: Collects and Post Communions, material from which is included here, is copyright ? The Archbishops' Council 2000
Lent Wise Course by Paula GooderFive Weeks titled Compass, Nourishment, Light, Shelter and Water.Holy Trinity Church Hall Mondays 2pm February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23 Contact Jules 07857 946576Appledore House Group Thursdays 7pm February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26 Contact Nigel 07976 388525Northam House Group Fridays 2.30pm February 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27 Contact Cath 07579 031623
What’s on in TCMC Dates for your Christmas Diary5th December 5pm-7pm Candles on the Lake Kenwith Castle6th December 10am St Mary’s Coffee Morning-The Royal, Bude Street, Appledore3pm Community Carol Service St Margaret’s10th December to 3rd January Christmas Tree Festival St Margaret’savailable to view when the church is open12th December3pm Ignatian Contemplation Holy Trinity13th December10am Christingle Making St Mary’s2.30pm Christmas Quiz St Margaret’s14th December3pm Christingle Service St Mary’s3pm Christmas Carols with Appledore Band Holy Trinity3.30pm Messy Church Abbotsham Village Hall16th December2.30pm Vintage Christmas St Mary’s Church Hall17th December7pm Recital by Heart and Voice Ensemble St Margaret’s19th December3pm Ignatian Contemplation Holy Trinity21st December9.15am Family Church St Mary’s10am 9 Lessons and Carols St Margaret’s10.30am Morning Worship Holy Trinity10.30pm Morning Worship-9 Lessons and Carols St Helen’s10.30am Holy Communion-9 Lessons and Carols St Mary’s5.30pm Carols@Thirsty St Helen’s22nd December7pm Torchlight Service Appledore St Mary’sDecember 24th – Christmas Eve3pm Carol Service Holy Trinity3pm Crib Service St Mary’s4.30pm Crib Service St Margaret’s9.30pm Bethlehem Communion St Helen’s9.30pm Bethlehem Communion St Margaret’sDecember 25th – Christmas Day10am Christmas Day Service St Margaret’s10.30am Christmas Day Service Holy Trinity10.30am Christmas Day Service St Mary’sDecember 28th10.30am Team Service Holy Trinity
