Words that I find particularly inspiring at this time are found in a contemporary hymn: Hands that flung stars into space to cruel nails surrendered. The imagery is incredible taking us from a moment of creation to death on the hill of Calvary. Although, as I know, that particularly cruel death was not the end, merely the beginning of what we celebrate this weekend - Easter.
The events of that first Holy Week and Easter are celebrated in dramatic liturgies in my own faith tradition involving the blessing of palm leaves, washing feet, listening to the story of the events of Good Friday, and culminating in welcoming a single lighted candle into a darkened church representing the moment of Christ’s resurrection. In all of these actions we are called upon to do more than just re-tell the story. Instead we participate in these events and to allow them to become a part of who we are. The waving palms remind us of the hopes and aspirations that are necessary for all a people who have confidence that better times will come. The actions of foot washing brings to the fore the fact that we are all servants – positively so – of each other; more dependent that we dare imagine on one another for who we are. The starkness of Good Friday and the departure from church without a blessing, allows the reality that God knew what loss in death both meant and felt like, to penetrate our psyche. No matter how dark days in our own lives may be, we are never without the presence of a God, who knows the pain of loss.
Out of darkness comes light – the light of a single candle – it is fragile light amongst a people who know vulnerability. It is welcome light; it is Christ amongst us, risen from the dead. The message of Easter is a simple one; that for a people of faith life does not come to an end in death. It offers a message of hope and joy. In response we are called to live accordingly !
By the Very Revd. Fr. Nicholas Hird, Parish Priest of Our Lady & St. Paulinus. On behalf of the Churches Together in Dewsbury.
