Jesus rises from the dead
20th April 2025, Easter Sunday
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Branwen Jones
It is the little details in this short and intense passage that are so evocative.
John 20: 1-9
The trial and Crucifixion of Jesus is a public and noisy event, witnessed by many. In contrast, the Resurrection is a very private matter – unseen by human eyes. Only the empty tomb and the abandoned linen cloths testify to the Risen Lord.
The atmosphere is subdued – it is ‘early’ and ‘still dark’, silent and sombre, when Mary Magdalene approaches the garden with its new tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Grieving at the loss of the Saviour she loved, she hopes to perform one last act of reverence – anoint His body. Darkness and light, symbolic of ignorance and revelation. She is not aware of the tremendous impact her discovery will have and the revelation it will bring.
Mary’s immediate reaction is one of horror when she sees the stone has been taken away from the entrance to the tomb. Gripped with fear she runs for the men, on the assumption that Jesus’ body has been moved to a different location. She hasn’t even looked inside.
It is Peter and John – ‘the other disciple’ – who dash headlong to see for themselves what has happened. John wins the race but does not actually enter the tomb until Peter catches up with him. Surely if anyone had removed Jesus’ body the grave cloths would not have been discarded. But John and Peter witness the evidence directly – ‘the linen cloths lying there’ and the cloth that had been placed over Jesus’ head ‘folded up in a place by itself’. No grave robber would be so neat.
Bewildered, the two men gaze on the scene, ‘for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.’
And what of us? Blessed are they who have not seen, yet believe.
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27th April 2025: Divine Mercy Sunday (Low Sunday) 2nd Sunday of Easter
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder Cjs.
Based on Gospel John 20: 19 to31
Apprehensive and uncertain what course they should now take, in the upper room disciples did sit and contemplate.
Suddenly dear Jesus stood amongst His friends. “Peace be with you people, it is I My Father sends.”
He showed them all the wounds, His hands and feet and side, from the cruel Crucifixion, when in suffering Christ had died.
“Receive the Holy Spirit for all who are herein. I ‘m here to give you power to forgive or retain sin.”
Thomas who was absent when Jesus came that day, refused to listen to them believing nought they had to say.
“Unless I put my hand in the hole that’s in His side. I simply won’t believe it, for I have got my pride.”
Eight long days did pass then Jesus came again. Thomas was there with them and Christ He made it plain,
that those who did believe, by faith and not by proof, are blessed in our God’s eyes and that’s the wondrous truth!
We are like poor Thomas, as cynical as he, for pride and all our failings, will not set us free.
You gave Your Life for us Lord, unworthy though we are. Nothing we can do, will Your love for us disbar.
Strengthen our resolve Lord, to follow in your path, to reconcile all differences, amending any aftermath.
The past we put behind us, we face our lives anew. We will put Jesus first, in everything we do. Cjs.
Poor Thomas, all he wanted was proof, he did not want to be thought gullible and willing to believe in the unbelievable. Like so many today, who think science can explain everything and anything else is a fairytale. (Though often people don’t even believe scientific proof!)
The other apostles had seen so they believed.
Would they have done so if they had been in Thomas’ position?
When Thomas at last realised this was the Christ returned from the dead he said
“My Lord and my God!” The statement the Priest might privately make as he raises the Body of Christ before us at the Sacrifice of the Mass.
Then Jesus made the wonderful uplifting statement, “Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.”
That’s us! Thank you Lord for all the blessings you bestow on us. Please help us to nurture that belief in You. Amen.
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Branwen Jones
It is the little details in this short and intense passage that are so evocative.
John 20: 1-9
The trial and Crucifixion of Jesus is a public and noisy event, witnessed by many. In contrast, the Resurrection is a very private matter – unseen by human eyes. Only the empty tomb and the abandoned linen cloths testify to the Risen Lord.
The atmosphere is subdued – it is ‘early’ and ‘still dark’, silent and sombre, when Mary Magdalene approaches the garden with its new tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Grieving at the loss of the Saviour she loved, she hopes to perform one last act of reverence – anoint His body. Darkness and light, symbolic of ignorance and revelation. She is not aware of the tremendous impact her discovery will have and the revelation it will bring.
Mary’s immediate reaction is one of horror when she sees the stone has been taken away from the entrance to the tomb. Gripped with fear she runs for the men, on the assumption that Jesus’ body has been moved to a different location. She hasn’t even looked inside.
It is Peter and John – ‘the other disciple’ – who dash headlong to see for themselves what has happened. John wins the race but does not actually enter the tomb until Peter catches up with him. Surely if anyone had removed Jesus’ body the grave cloths would not have been discarded. But John and Peter witness the evidence directly – ‘the linen cloths lying there’ and the cloth that had been placed over Jesus’ head ‘folded up in a place by itself’. No grave robber would be so neat.
Bewildered, the two men gaze on the scene, ‘for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.’
And what of us? Blessed are they who have not seen, yet believe.
*************************
27th April 2025: Divine Mercy Sunday (Low Sunday) 2nd Sunday of Easter
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder Cjs.
Based on Gospel John 20: 19 to31
Apprehensive and uncertain what course they should now take, in the upper room disciples did sit and contemplate.
Suddenly dear Jesus stood amongst His friends. “Peace be with you people, it is I My Father sends.”
He showed them all the wounds, His hands and feet and side, from the cruel Crucifixion, when in suffering Christ had died.
“Receive the Holy Spirit for all who are herein. I ‘m here to give you power to forgive or retain sin.”
Thomas who was absent when Jesus came that day, refused to listen to them believing nought they had to say.
“Unless I put my hand in the hole that’s in His side. I simply won’t believe it, for I have got my pride.”
Eight long days did pass then Jesus came again. Thomas was there with them and Christ He made it plain,
that those who did believe, by faith and not by proof, are blessed in our God’s eyes and that’s the wondrous truth!
We are like poor Thomas, as cynical as he, for pride and all our failings, will not set us free.
You gave Your Life for us Lord, unworthy though we are. Nothing we can do, will Your love for us disbar.
Strengthen our resolve Lord, to follow in your path, to reconcile all differences, amending any aftermath.
The past we put behind us, we face our lives anew. We will put Jesus first, in everything we do. Cjs.
Poor Thomas, all he wanted was proof, he did not want to be thought gullible and willing to believe in the unbelievable. Like so many today, who think science can explain everything and anything else is a fairytale. (Though often people don’t even believe scientific proof!)
The other apostles had seen so they believed.
Would they have done so if they had been in Thomas’ position?
When Thomas at last realised this was the Christ returned from the dead he said
“My Lord and my God!” The statement the Priest might privately make as he raises the Body of Christ before us at the Sacrifice of the Mass.
Then Jesus made the wonderful uplifting statement, “Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.”
That’s us! Thank you Lord for all the blessings you bestow on us. Please help us to nurture that belief in You. Amen.