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Taken
from the April 2008
parish
magazine.
The events we have been remembering at Easter are, I would
say,
the most decisive events in human history. They contain the
deepest tragedy and the greatest hope.
In 2003 when I was writing the April letter, there was a real threat of
war starting in the Middle East. We all know how that turned
out,
and in fact the Iraqi people are still waiting for a true and lasting
peace today, five years on. Today as I write, we are still
waiting for the result of the elections in Zimbabwe, and praying that
there will be a peaceful outcome and not a violent one. We
also
watch with continued frustration the problems in Darfur and with
concern over Tibet.
These
feelings and fears would also have been experienced in the time of
Jesus, as he lived in an occupied country with brutal
reprisals.
Through his own struggles, He showed us that God is aware of, and
intimately involved in our personal problems.
Our fears and concerns may not be on such a big scale as we live in
relative peace and security. But we still do face worries
over
illness, job securities and financial pressures among others.
As a church our future is still not clear, but whatever happens there
will be a need for a lot of resources to secure a site and build a
church building for our long term future. We will only achieve that if
we work together with all those of good will. Please pray and
think how you can help.
Jesus was called to the home of his dear friend Lazarus who was on the
point of death. But he does not go straight away. By the time
he
arrives, Lazarus has died. His sisters Martha and Mary, both say:
“ If only you had been here”. But Jesus
transforms
the situation, he claims to BE the resurrection and the life.
Then he demonstrates it by raising Lazarus from the dead. At
this
Easter may we know the transforming power of Christ, so we experience
the hope of new life in whatever we face.
Rev W Henderson
