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Easter reflections – Day 1
“I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Day 1 – - – Day 2 – - – Day 3 – - – Day 4 – - – Day 5 – - – Day 6 – - – Day 7 – - – Day 8 – - -> Welcome to the beginning of a walk with Jesus through challenge. When we follow Jesus’ journey towards death in the Stations of the Cross, we will encounter injustice, pain, suffering and death. They could overwhelm us. But we will also meet comfort and support, and we have a hope of new life which looks very distant from this beginning. Why engage with this? If we want this new life, as Saint Paul did as he wrote to the Philippians, we have to know Jesus Christ. How well do we know Jesus? How do we understand what happened in the time leading up to his death? This week, we will walk this journey together. Find a few minutes to consider these images, and what they mean. The questions and quotes below may help. How will they shape the way you see the world today? As we walk with Christ, we can look to know Christ, know the power of what he did, become like him, and share in new life ahead. 1. The condemnation Jesus is innocent, but accused by enemies. It is a public spectacle. A judge has the power to release him. As he is questioned, Jesus says “The reason I was born and came into this world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18 verse 37) “What is truth?” replied the judge. Despite finding no evidence against Jesus, the judge handed the power of decision to the crowd. He is seen washing his hands of responsibility as the crowd shouted for Jesus to be executed. Where are we in this picture? Are we innocent and accused? If so, what do we take from Jesus’ reaction? Are we accusing others? If so, on what basis? Are we responsible for judging, with power to protect the innocent? If so, what are we doing with that power? Are we part of a crowd crying for justice? If so, what is making us feel so strongly and shout so loud? Maybe we are in the crowd, but trying to decide what to call out for, who to support, where to commit, who to follow? It would be hard to be part of this crowd and yet decide to follow Jesus. But that is the next step in our journey. 2. Laden with the Cross Jesus takes the burden of the Cross for the first time. Crucifiction was a process of execution designed to break a criminal, physically, mentally and – perhaps most important – publically. It was to leave no doubt among onlookers that the state had the ultimate power to punish wrongdoing and crush rebellion. By the time Jesus took the cross, he had already been physically weakened by flogging, which would have torn his flesh, leaving deep, stripe-like wounds. On top of these injuries, the cross’ weight of around 50 kilos, roughly 100 pounds, would have put torturous stress on the body. How good do we expect to feel when we do the right thing? What could be worth enduring this kind of pain for? Is there anything, or anyone, that we would suffer for? What motivated Jesus to do this? What was he doing? Is there a reason to this injustice? Is there hope? “Surely he took up our pain But he was pierced for our transgressions, Walk with us Day 1 – - – Day 2 – - – Day 3 – - – Day 4 – - – Day 5 – - – Day 6 – - – Day 7 – - – Day 8 – - -> Considering these things alone can be valuable, but daunting. When we walk through this together, we can find strength. So you are invited to join us and walk the Stations of the Cross at Saint Stephens. Monday 6th April – from 5.30pm – Preview the images with artist Graeme Mortimer Evelyn, and discuss where they are from, what they mean, and how we can be challenged and inspired together Tuesday 7th – 5.30pm – Praying the Stations of the Cross, reflecting together amidst challenge and trial Wednesday 8th – 1.00pm – Praying the Stations of the Cross Thursday 9th – 5.30pm – “Last Supper” together, with food and friendship leading into reflection and meditation, preparing critical.mass to share communion Good Friday 10th – stillness and space from noon, then Praying the Stations of the Cross from 2pm Holy Saturday 11th – 8.30pm – Celebrating the Mystery together with signs of the resurrection, the first communion of Easter, and the chants and sounds of mystery, hope and transformation Easter Sunday 12th – 10.30am – Celebration of Easter, simply, with the cafe, garden, flowers, communion (and Easter eggs!) Want to ask a question or share a thought? As well as joining us in person, you can email easter@saint-stephens.com Please indicate if your comments are private or for sharing, and we would love to hear from you.
Bern Leckie, Development administrator, Saint Stephens Leave a Reply |
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