Easter Day: A Brand New Thing

Sunday April 4 2021

The Rev Roddy Hamilton says today is a day to 'marvel at truth and vision and hope'.

Mary turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (John 20:14-16)

In some medieval paintings of this scene, Jesus is standing with a hoe over his shoulder. The new Adam has arrived. The gardener has been restored to the garden. The Eden vision has been renewed. The original promise has been spoken again.

Because we let go everything yesterday, today God has done a brand new thing. So, without explanation and clever insight, may we find words today that simply celebrate, words that bring fire into a belief shattered on Friday, and let colour flood the greyness of yesterday. Let us speak of unexpected things, that allow ourselves to marvel at truth and vision and hope, and not worry about understanding or proving anything. Just enjoy newfound belief!

Prayer:

May we pray with our hearts,
With our joy,
With a bundle of alleluias struggling to be set free;

May we pray with our laughter,
With our wonder,
With our eyes that have seen the dawn and the sun rise;

May we pray with our beings,
With our voices,
With our songs that find a new meaning and purpose to sing.

May we make mistakes
In our ‘proper’ prayers,
And enjoy the chaos that is new life.

Loving God,
We welcome hope,
And life,
And love,
Into this newly resurrected world.

Thank you to the Rev Roddy Hamilton, minister of New Kirkpatrick Parish Church, Bearsden, for this series of reflections for Holy Week.

Palm Sunday: Did Anyone Know?
Monday: Beyond Earthly Things
Tuesday: Jesus is From Everywhere
Wednesday: 'One of You Will Betray Me'
Thursday: Unsettling and Disruptive
Friday: Love, Silenced
Saturday: A Day of Letting Go

In this month's Life and Work:

Easter Around the World

‘Every Action Really Does Count’
Helen Hughes, retired Deacon and passionate Christian Aid supporter

Dreaming Big
Rachel Macrae describes the influence of the Church in shaping her life and dreams

A Season of Awakening
Has the Covid-19 pandemic created an opportunity to reset mission?

All in the Timing
Death, loss and the importance of signs in the story of Lazarus

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