SHALOM

We know the end of this story, but for the disciples after Jesus’ death fear was the driving spirit. They were suffering and had locked themselves away to nurse their despair and their fear. The doors were firmly closed.

In this account of the resurrection appearance, notice how John constantly refers to the wounds of Jesus. Even though he has risen he still bears the wounds. His suffering happened and he bears the marks of that suffering. He wants Thomas to literally get in ‘touch’ with his suffering. Thomas is often unfairly referred to as a ‘doubter’ and yet in this text he makes one of the most profound statements of faith: “My Lord and my God".

We can look back on times when we suffered in our lives and perhaps see those resurrection moments that it brought. It is through those moments that Jesus says, ‘Peace be with you’. One minute they disciples are locked away in fear for their lives, the next they are ready to embrace their mission to the world.

“The Jewish greeting of shalom, that is so much more than a good wish for a quiet evening. Shalom expresses the desire that the person receiving the blessing might be whole in body, mind and spirit” (Margaret Silf).

Easter Sunday

Revisiting the tomb

In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene is faced with the tomb. Every death we experience, whether it be physical death, the death of a relationship, an addiction, financial crisis, civil strife, they all bring new life in some form eventually. This story gives hope to millions of people, that these ‘deaths’ are not a full stop, but more of a comma. That despite the suffering, heartbreak or injustice, good will triumph. Whatever our ‘death’ experiences may be, we revisit them, going to the tomb as usual. And then we realise that something has changed, the stone has rolled away.

“Life will always prevail, through all the layers of death in which we try to contain it” (Margaret Silf).

Palm Sunday

Today we read Mark’s account of Jesus’ Passion and we may find ourselves asking, “Where do I stand?” Yes it is the long Gospel but we should try not to miss the journey that this offers us this week.

The cry of abandonment on the cross has to be one of the most frightening aspects of this account: “Eloi, Eloi Lema Sabbachtani?” My God, my God, why have you deserted me? (Psalm22). Jesus’ sense of loneliness is emphasised in Mark as he is betrayed, rejected, denied, mocked, tortured and then, at the crucial moment, even God is silent.

We also see an unlikely hero in the Roman soldier who confesses Jesus’ identity. We can remember those today who stand for justice, who fight for human rights, those who are counter-cultural, those who stand against oppressive systems even though the path is dangerous and lonely.

“Lord how true it is that success and popularity are not really important in life. The only important thing is that some unbelieving centurion, seeing how we live and die could say, ‘In truth, this was a son/daughter of God.” (Michael de Verteuil).