Without the resurrection Jesus’ death would have simply gone down in history, if it had been noted at all, as yet another unjust execution, another politico/religious injustice, the murder of a good person. But the resurrection confirmed what we know to be true – Jesus who died is and was the Lord of history, the Word of God, and his death shows us the depths of God’s love for us, the extent to which God was prepared to go to bring us back into relationship with him. In Tom Wright’s memorable phrase: ‘On the cross the power of love defeated the love of power’. And that victory we know to be real because of the resurrection.

The meadows were full of flowers. Larks rose singing into the sky. There was no one to be seen for miles around. There was nothing but the wide earth and sky, the singing of the larks, and the freedom of space.

It is hard to believe that this year will be my third Easter with you in the Bede Circuit and yet due to Covid haven’t held services in a church building. So this year will have a significant feel to it all.

It is a story of transformation – the caterpillar eats his way through a mountain of food and although I am not sure caterpillars really eat ice cream, lollipops, salami and cheese etc, the point of the story is that he is destined to bury himself inside a chrysalis. There he stays until it is time to break through and the caterpillar is no more! Instead, as is his destiny, he is eventually transformed into a beautiful butterfly.

I wonder what you are like at losing things. What are you like at finding them again?……. Where am I looking for God and expecting to find God at work?

On everyone’s mind, at present, are the horrors unfolding in Ukraine. Like so many people I confess to being very ignorant about the country and it is only recently that I have come to appreciate the fine architecture of so many of the buildings prior to the wreckage that we see beamed on our television screens each day.  Nor can we overlook the tremendous fortitude shown by the population and the determination of President Zelensky and all who are prepared to risk their lives in the battle for the freedom of the Ukranians.

During this first week of Lent our attention has been very much drawn to the situation in Ukraine and especially the awful suffering of its people as they have been shelled, bombed and terrorised.