Greetings,

For another year we have again journeyed with Jesus to Jerusalem.  We have been on edge as we witness his arrest.  We have been uncomfortable to hear again how his friends denied him, and themselves, knowing that we may have done the very same.  We have stood in horror at the foot of the cross, waited in the darkness of despair when all seemed lost, and rejoiced on Easter Day with the news of resurrection.

So now that Easter week is over, what does it mean for us?  Rather than setting Easter aside until next year, I think the consideration for this period after Easter centres around how we might live into the hope of the resurrection that we have witnessed and claim as ours.

Psalm 133 opens with the words ‘How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!’  It doesn’t take long to see that the world is far from living together in unity.  Conflict in homes, communities, and in and between nations, takes a huge toll on individuals and society.  Things need to change.

Jesus’ told us that we should ‘love one another’.  This message was so important that it wasn’t a  suggestion from Jesus, but a command.  Jesus follows these words with the assurance that by this ‘everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)  Maybe when we choose to love one another we will take the first step to living in unity.

Let us do all we can to live into the hope that are called to.

Blessings – Heather (she/her).