From the Pen of Rev Steve
Recent copies of the minister's letters from Rev Steve.
These are reproduced from the monthly Newsletter.
May 2025: 'Easter Saturday'
I write this letter in the waiting time of Holy Saturday. In Mark’s gospel nothing is mentioned about the Saturday at all. In some ways that is strange as it was the Jewish sabbath day. It would have been good to know what the disciples got up to, and also the women who had been by his side throughout….. But nothing, just a void of knowledge.
We have to remember that this is not an expectant pause waiting for some anticipated outcome. Jesus’ followers are not party to the knowledge that we have that Easter Sunday is just around the corner. Instead what they experience on the Holy Saturday is the rawness of what took place the day before. All the hoped for future in the Messiah had been dashed by the authorities intervention, trial and crucifixion. In reality nothing is said in the gospel account, because nothing of note actually happened. The followers would have retreated to a safe place, and cocooned away from the reality of what had just happened.
We are all spoilt each year with Easter because we know the conclusion, we know what is coming on the Sunday. Yet in reality most people have to face Holy Saturdays after tragic news, and comprehend what it is going to be like living with the new reality of loss. Nobody knows what resurrection or a returning of hope looks like when they are living the aftermath of pain.
Normal life is not blessed with a monumental event like resurrection. However when we face up to loss, whatever that loss is, on the day after the event, some form of resurrection can appear. The facing up to the new reality and knowing that we retain a bond with loved ones, friends, and with God is part of the healing and forms our resurrection to new life.
I wait with anticipation to use the liturgical response tomorrow morning, “Alleluia, Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, alleluia”, but say it not only with its historical context, but for each of our Good Friday, Holy Saturdays, and Easter Sundays today.
Easter blessings to you all,
Steve
We have to remember that this is not an expectant pause waiting for some anticipated outcome. Jesus’ followers are not party to the knowledge that we have that Easter Sunday is just around the corner. Instead what they experience on the Holy Saturday is the rawness of what took place the day before. All the hoped for future in the Messiah had been dashed by the authorities intervention, trial and crucifixion. In reality nothing is said in the gospel account, because nothing of note actually happened. The followers would have retreated to a safe place, and cocooned away from the reality of what had just happened.
We are all spoilt each year with Easter because we know the conclusion, we know what is coming on the Sunday. Yet in reality most people have to face Holy Saturdays after tragic news, and comprehend what it is going to be like living with the new reality of loss. Nobody knows what resurrection or a returning of hope looks like when they are living the aftermath of pain.
Normal life is not blessed with a monumental event like resurrection. However when we face up to loss, whatever that loss is, on the day after the event, some form of resurrection can appear. The facing up to the new reality and knowing that we retain a bond with loved ones, friends, and with God is part of the healing and forms our resurrection to new life.
I wait with anticipation to use the liturgical response tomorrow morning, “Alleluia, Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, alleluia”, but say it not only with its historical context, but for each of our Good Friday, Holy Saturdays, and Easter Sundays today.
Steve
From the Pen of Rev Steve
Normal life is not blessed with a monumental event like resurrection.