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Easter reflections – Day 4
“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 – - -> As we continue our journey along the Stations of the Cross, 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? 7. The second fall Jesus has been supported and comforted in his painful journey, and yet the cross is overwhelming. The legend holds that he fell a second time. Was Jesus defeated in spirit before his work was finished? Glory was yet to come, but this fall shows the contrast between the mighty triumph of God ahead, and the brokenness and failure of the human body under pressure. Saint Paul later wrote to the church with encouragement taken from this contrast. We learn to point people to Jesus, not ourselves, as the light in life’s darkness, but… “…we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4 verses 7 to 10) Where are we looking for strength? 8. The women weep Gospel writer Luke records that a large number of people followed Jesus, even as he strained towards death. In particular, Luke noted the women who mourned and wailed for him (Luke 23 verse 27). This is the only recorded instance of Jesus in conversation along the walk with the cross. What would you expect Jesus to say? What would you want to hear from him? Would you hope for comfort and encouragement? This is what he said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”‘* For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23 verses 28 to 31) (* quote from Hosea 10 verse 8 ) Jesus acknowledged the bleakness of the human condition without a saviour. Do we feel the need for Jesus? Would we get by without him? What would the world be like without Christ’s journey to the cross? When we make our contribution to the world, who do we credit and glorify as the source of our strength, life and love? 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. 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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