I am alive!

During these days of Easter joy we are so very aware that Jesus is risen - that he is alive - that he is still with us.

He is no longer physically here on earth, but he is still with us, and we are particularly aware of this when we meet to celebrate the Eucharist. As one of the Eucharistic hymns puts it so well:

Alleluia! not as ophans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! he is near us,
Faith believes, nor questions how;
Though the cloud from sight received him
When the forty days were o'er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise,
'I am with you evermore'?

Easter Sequence

Tell us Mary: say what thou didst see upon the way.
The tomb the Living did enclose;
I saw Christ's glory as he rose!
The angels there attesting;
shroud with grave-clothes resting.
Christ, my hope, has risen: he goes before you into Galilee.
That Christ is truly risen from the dead we know.
Victorious King, thy mercy show!
Amen. Alleluia!

This Easter banner was presented to the Chapel of the Resurrection by pupils in the Prep School who organised a toy sale. What a lovely gift!

Christ our light! Alleluia!

The Paschal Candle (which burns at all our services between Easter Sunday and Pentecost) is a powerful symbol of the light of the Risen Christ. The candle was first lit as these words were said:

May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

This is a good prayer!

Easter Gospel

We don't spend much money on flowers in the Chapel, but do like it to look festive throughout Eastertide. Our compromise solution is to have one floral stand of fresh flowers (the Easter lilies cost £23.97 - and will soon need replacing) and artifical flowers around the Paschal Candle and in front of the lectern. Here we see the cheerful floral display at the lectern from which the Gospel is proclaimed.

The Easter Gospel is really Good News - and the flowers help to express our joy!

Breakfast by the lakeside

Although many Biblical Scholars will have us read this passage from the 21st chapter of John's Gospel with deep theological meaning, I rather enjoy taking it at face value! Although Jesus is now risen, he does not cease to be concerned about our everyday needs - he doesn't only expect us to turn to him about deeply spiritual matters.

How often do we work away on our own with few results? How often do we fail to recognise the Risen Lord at work in our daily lives? He is there to help us whenever we turn to him, and the results of his help can be quite amazing.

Jesus says; 'Come to me, all you who are overworked and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Perhaps we should allow Jesus to cook breakfast for us more often!

The Road to Emmaus

I have three favourite Bible stories, and they are all in Luke's Gospel - the birth of Jesus and the visit of the shepherds (Chapter 2), the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Chapter 15), and the Road to Emmaus (Chapter 24).

The story of the Emmaus Road is the model for all our Eucharists in which we meet the Risen Lord. We hear the Scriptures and have them opened to us in the homily and bidding prayers; we break bread; and we are dismissed - sent on our way, back to our daily lives, strengthened and inspired.

Like those two disiples, attending the Eucharist should change our lives! Have you told anyone recently that Jesus is risen?

Mary Magdaline sees the Risen Lord

What a lovely image this is! Mary can hardly believe her eyes - she is filled with joy beyond words. We too feel like this when we hear the Easter Gospel. The message seems too good to be true - but we believe it, and are filled with joy - Alleluia!

Walking in a garden
At the break of day,
Mary asked the gardener
Where the body lay;
But he turned towards her,
Smiled at her and said:
'Mary, spring is here to stay,
Only death is dead.'