Reflection for Easter Week - 15th April 2023
Happy Easter to you all!
This is the day that the Lord has made, Alleluia!
Let us rejoice and be glad in it, Alleluia!
We have been singing this at the start of our early morning office of Vigils every day this week as we celebrate the Octave of Easter. Every day this week is Easter Day, every day is the day of resurrection! Of course this is not just true of the week after Easter – for Christians every day is the day of resurrection, Christ constantly makes all things new and calls us into new life. The past is gathered up and transformed into resurrection life each day as God pours out his spirit upon us. To look out at the state of the world can be deeply depressing and even frightening. But we hold a hope that human hearts can be changed, that lives can be turned around to follow the way of Jesus, the man of peace. As we seek to live with love for all that God has created we touch and change the lives of those around us, both our human and non-human neighbours.
The risen Christ came in mysterious guises, not immediately recognisable to his disciples. Although after his ascension Christ no longer comes in physical bodily form he does come alongside us as we journey through life. We need to take the time to let our hearts open to recognise his presence in whoever or whatever comes our way. Our shared rhythm of prayer is one way to take the time to slow down and ‘tune in’ regularly to Christ’s presence with us. We have a great privilege here at the Abbey of being able to hold the seven-fold office as well as a daily Eucharist and each one of you can link with this in your own way within your own rhythm of life. By praying the office we enter into the ongoing story of people of faith from the earliest days of the Old Testament right through to the present day. It is the story of God with us in Christ, a mystery hidden before the incarnation but now revealed to us who believe: ‘Christ in you, the hope of Glory’ (Col 1v27).
Mother Anne - 15th April 2023