Good morning friends
Trusting that this finds you well and that you were able to take some time to stop and reflect on Easter Sunday. God is love – seen in the triumph of hope over fear, life over death and light over the darkness. Even in the darkest of situations we are seeing that love at work. In the incredible sights, both globally and locally of solidarity and compassion for others. The way in which people are making that phone call, using social media, writing a letter, volunteering, chatting across the road -all these are reflections of love.
The applause of thanks and encouragement for all our key workers, whatever context they are in. Simply put this is love at work, the love of God reflecting humanity at its absolute best. Teresa of Avila, a Spanish nun, a great mystic and religious women of the 16th Century wrote of the love of God at work in this world.
‘Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.’ Wherever we are, whatever our situation let’s look around us and find God at work in this time of pandemic. For me, seeing God at work brings out great thankfulness and great gladness at God’s blessing. And that reminds me of . . .
Polyanna’s Just Being Glad Game!
… the ‘just being glad’ game.”
“Whatever in the world are you talkin’ about?”
“Why, it’s a game. Father told it to me, and it’s lovely,” rejoined Pollyanna. “We’ve played it always, ever since I was a little, little girl. I told the Ladies’ Aid, and they played it—some of them.”
“What is it? I ain’t much on games, though.”
Pollyanna laughed again, but she sighed, too; and in the gathering twilight her face looked thin and wistful …
“Oh, yes; the game was to just find something about everything to be glad about—no matter what ’twas,” rejoined Pollyanna, earnestly.
How about making our own Polyanna glad jars or bags or boxes? Every time you are thankful place a reminder into your container. At school (!) we used to do it with marbles, or you could write a little note or cut out a heart or even keep a record on your camera! Perhaps we can find one for each day of Eastertide which ends on Whit Sunday,May 31st this year?
And do share how you are doing!
And finally …
In a previous Parish we used Stations of The Resurrection. These are a wonderfully joyful way of entering into the Easter season. I am attaching them today. Each has a prayer, the Easter Collect, a hymn and a piece of scripture to ponder. We begin today with John 20:1-10.
Click here for Stations of the Resurrection 2020
I’ve had a copy of this painting ‘The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulchre on the Morning of the Resurrection’ by Eugène Burnand for many years now and have often used it with children. I love it for its dynamism, the running towards the empty tomb following Mary Magdalene telling them of her discovery on that first Easter morning. They are running to the place where heaven met earth.
And yet, look at their eyes – imagine their feelings, anxiety, hope, concern and anticipation. All mixed with wonder. Those eyes are our eyes at this time as we live through these times. Through reading John 20:1-10 and through the eyes allow yourself to be led to the empty tomb.
Alleluia. Christ is Risen.
Julie
PS Please find below the Easter Collect and the words to the hymn.
PPS Please support the Junction in Lambourn by donating if you are able so to do.
My visits this morning took me to a family of Mum + 4 children whose supermarket slot was ‘bumped’ for an elderly, vulnerable person. There were funds available – it was not to do with money. In fact, the provider took the money and then repaid it into her bank account. She rang her bank to check and they told her what had happened. I will be asking the supermarket concerned their policy on removing deliveries later today. If you on Twitter please re-tweet. I am Julie Mintern on Twitter (well, there’s a surprise!)
Please pray for the most vulnerable in our villages – thank you.
Easter Collect
God of glory,
by the raising of your Son
you have broken the chains of death and hell:
fill your Church with faith and hope;
for a new day has dawned
and the way to life stands open
in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
From heaven you came, helpless babe . . .
From heaven you came, helpless babe,
Entered our world, your glory veiled;
Not to be served but to serve,
And give your life that we might live.
This is our God, the Servant King,
He calls us now to follow him,
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King.
There in the garden of tears,
My heavy load he chose to bear;
His heart with sorrow was torn,
‘Yet not my will but yours,’ he said.
Come, see his hands and his feet,
The scars that speak of sacrifice,
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered.
So let us learn how to serve,
And in our lives enthrone him;
Each other’s needs to prefer,
For it is Christ we’re serving.