Continued…..
“With the help of the Stations of the Resurrection”
Church of St Thomas More, Seaford, BN25 1SS
The First Station: Jesus Is Risen. “We love you Lord Jesus and we trust in you for we know you are risen from the dead and live in us”.
“Isn’t that providence Maura”. The number of times I heard these words in our kitchen when growing up was often. They coincided with a visit from my auntie when she came to stay with us for a while. They now stay with me as a very positive response to life. The visit of the early disciples to His tomb, opens the door to great hope and confidence that a new life is open to everyone. Belief remains the key to opening that door, and Jesus chastises his disciples for their lack of belief in Him. Let us try to keep open the doors of faith.
Alleluia, Alleluia. Give thanks to the risen Lord. Give praise to his name.
The Second Station: Peter and John arrive at the empty tomb. “We love you Lord Jesus and we trust in you for we know you are risen from the dead and live in us”.
Peter finds it hard to keep the doors of faith open, and in his difficulties he returns to his day job which is fishing, we will meet up again with him when he returns to his day job. Then Jesus will appoint him “thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church”. Fear of the irrational and unknown is very much a part of the human experience. It stopped John entering the tomb. We all know this fear of the irrational, so help us Lord to conquer our fears and anxieties. Help us to live lives of greater hope and service.
Alleluia, Alleluia. Give thanks to the risen Lord. Give praise to his name.
The Third Station: The Risen Lord appears to Mary Magdalene. “We love you Lord Jesus and we trust in you for we know you are risen from the dead and live in us”.
She stood there crying as she looked into the tomb. The words “Woman why are you crying?” did not make her realise who He was. But when He said “Mary” her eyes were opened.
We like Mary Magdalene, all suffer grief, shock and sadness when we witness death. Mary had seen Jesus die. The risen Lord must have looked very different from the tortured person on the cross, but when Jesus spoke her name, Mary knew Him.
Jesus you speak all our names, you know each and every one of us. You call us each by your name: help us to recognise your presence.
Alleluia, Alleluia. Give thanks to the risen Lord. Give praise to his name.