24 September Revd Andy Chislett-McDonald

Easter. Scripture, reflection and repentance
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Mark 16:1-8 "When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.

As 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. 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.” 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."

Reflection.  If Jesus' death on a Cross of Wood is 'the' moment in history, the Sunday morning that followed the darkest of Fridays is the fulfilment of hope.  For us it is as we know the story.  For three women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome it was anything but. They went to complete a burial ritual. The found something different;  a stone rolled back, a young man in a white robe, a missing body. They were given their instructions. And, notice this well, they fled in terror and amazement, and fear had gripped them. I guess the thought of resurrection from the dead might just do that to you!

Here are the questions for me, and maybe for you as well. 'Have I stopped being amazed at the resurrection of Jesus?' and 'Do I take it for granted?' or 'Am I blasé about it?' Perhaps, 'Why don't I revel in being an Easter person?'
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Repentance. Lord Jesus, forgive me for not living always in the light and power of your amazing, terrifying, awesome rising. Lord, in your mercy, hear my prayer. Amen.