SCRIPTURE
READINGS (A)
Acts
10:34-43
We have eaten and drunk with him after his
resurrection
Psalm
117 This
day was made by the Lord
Colossians
3:1-4
You must look for the things of heaven
John
20:1-9
The risen Christ appears to the women
disciples
EASTER
THOUGHTS
The
resurrection of Christ and our own resurrection stand
at the centre of our Christian lives. Saint Paul in 1
Corinthians 1:5 makes it perfectly clear that there is
a very close connexion between the two and that if the
notion of resurrection be rejected then Christ himself
has not been raised.
The
centrality of the belief to our faith is affirmed in both
the Apostles' and the Nicene Creed.
Jesus tells us that he is 'the resurrection and the life'
and invites Martha to share this
belief when he says to her 'DO YOU believe this?' (John
11:26)
Yet
important, central and profound though this belief is
it is hard for us to grasp it and let it have a purifying
and enlarging effect on our lives. To begin with despite
Browning's attempt in “Death in the Desert” to recapture
the mind of Lazarus, no one has so far unveiled for us
what it will be like 'there'. We cannot ask anyone the
question; "Tell us what was it like?' All we know
is what Saint Paul
assures us; we shall all be changed. The body that is
sown perishable will be raised imperishable'
(I Cor: 15;42)
But
however much we may be convinced of the truth of our belief,
we
also know that in fact death is a threat to us and that
we fear it, especially for those we know and love. Death
is a doorway through which all of must at some time pass,
if we wish to get to the other side, yet we also know
that paradoxically we have no wish to
go by that way.
This
is partly because of our ignorance of the nature of the
life beyond the closed door. But it is also because our
thoughts at the time of the death of loved ones turn rather
to our own loss, than to the well being of those who have
gone before us.
But
further than that just think of the dreary prospect of
going on and on and on in this world with no possibility
of escape. Would any of us really rejoice in that? I doubt
it. Browning in his poem “Easter – Day” speaks towards
the end of the deadly clutch this material universe exercises
over our minds and our imaginations:
'With ghastly smooth life, dead at heart,
tame in earth's paddock as her prize'.
This life, this visible
universe is not all there is; indeed it will be ours for
a
relatively short space of time. Resurrection may seem
hard to understand but what an uplifting and freeing hope
it offers. Thank God for it.
Fr
Anthony Meredith SJ
“MAKE
POVERTY HISTORY”
There
is a strong Jesuit involvement in this global campaign
for justice which has been making the news recently. We
encourage you to keep informed by visiting:
www.jesuitmissions.org.uk
.
Next
action days in Jesuit schools and parishes: May 15 th
-16 th . See posters for details.
Jesuit
Refugee Service
Quiz
Night: Monday 18 th of April in the Church Hall – 7 for
7.30pm . Support this
great work and have some fun at the same time. Please
let Caroline Blaazer know if you are coming: 8299 2490.
See posters for details of this event.
LINES
FROM AN EASTER POEM
Jesus
speaks to Mary Magdalene
Tell
them, Mary, Jesus said,
that
I have travelled far
into
the deepest deeps;
I've
been to nights without a star.
Tell
them, Mary, Jesus said,
That
fear will flee my light,
that
though the ground will tremble
and
despair will stalk the earth,
I
hold them firmly by the hand
through
terror to new birth.
Tell
them, Mary, Jesus said,
the
world and all that's made
is
clasped to God's great bosom;
they
must not be afraid.
For
though they fall and die, He said, and the black earth
wrap them tight, they will know the warmth
of
God's great love
in
the early morning light.
Edwina
Gately
NOTICES
MOUNT
STREET JESUIT CENTRE
The
Centre, based at 114 Mount Street
, provides opportunities for adult
Christian formation in spirituality, theology and Scripture.
A flyer containing a calendar of events for the coming
months is available at the church doors. Please take one.
PARISH
COUNCIL We are asking for
nominations at this time to fill two vacancies on the
Parish Council. Any regular worshipper at Farm Street
Church may nominate or be nominated. Duties include attending
about eight meetings in the course of the year and being
involved in co-ordinating parish events and activities.
Please pass on your nominations to Fr William.
WALSINGHAM
A parish pilgrimage to
this historic shrine of Our Lady will take place on Saturday
May 7 th with a coach leaving at 8.30am
from the church and returning about
8.30pm . Tickets
(including lunch) £25. Please contact Joan Hammet
for details: 8657 6367 (after 6pm
).
COLLECTIONS
The Easter collection is
given to the British Province
of the Society of Jesus. Many thanks
for your support!
Last
Sunday's collection was £2,663.76. Many thanks!!
ST
PAUL A
series of six talks by Fr Peter Edmunds SJ of Campion
Hall, Oxford ,
begins on April 6 th . These will be devoted to the life
and writings of St Paul .
They will be at 114 Mount Street
on consecutive Wednesday evenings
from 7pm
to 8.30pm
The course costs £25 (concessions available). See
posters for more details. This will be an excellent introduction
to the “second founder” of Christianity and a good opportunity
for detailed Scripture study with an expert.
CHRISTMAS
BAZAAR An action team is
being formed under the supervision of Joan Hammett to
prepare for the Christmas Bazaar December
3 rd 2005 . If you are interested
in helping, there will be a meeting at 114
Mount Street at 6.45pm
on Wednesday April 6 th . Please
let Joan know if you are coming: 8657 6367 (after 6pm
).
A
BLESSED AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL FROM THE JESUIT COMMUNITY!
