Thought for the Month (April 2007)
I like to think that one of God's gifts to us is that the big festivals of the Church, like Christmas and Easter, are celebrated regularly so we don't forget. It also means that we have the opportunity each year of trying to understand a little bit more of God's plans, and his beloved son Jesus' part in it. So, very soon, we shall be worshipping at Easter.
April 1st is All Fools Day. This year, we celebrate Palm Sunday on April 1st. We think of Jesus turning from his ministry in the country to the capital city. There were probably many people who advised Jesus against going to Jerusalem, the religious capital, when it seems obvious that the leaders of a comfortable state religion would clash with Jesus and his claim to be the Son of God. A foolish thing to do. He makes a fool of himself as he rides into Jerusalem on a donkey (just picture it to yourself!) and soon afterwards turns over the money-changers' tables in the Temple itself.
This year, in Tunbridge Wells, we have tried to celebrate Lent with a set of Bible readings to understand more of the build up to Easter. I hope this means that our joy in the Resurrection will be more intense.
I can't be the only one who remembers the Ink Spots and their song "April Showers". This song almost gets into my Desert Island Discs. This year, the showers seemed to have started early, and the unpredictability can be exciting. We can wake up to sunshine, plan the day and go out, only to get soaked. Perhaps I should write this the other way round - wake up to pouring rain, mope around the house, until after lunch the sun comes out and "Incy Wincy Spider climbs the spout again", and a marvellous time is had by all, basking in the sunshine.
After the foolishness of the ride into Jerusalem and the cleansing of the Temple, the stress of the days of uncertainty before Passover and the terrible execution, came the joy of the empty tomb and talking again with the Master. The bright sun is revealed after the dark showers. Resurrection in all its forms is joy - a growing in seeds, a rebirth of a relationship, new life in a tired community. But before the new life there has to be a death.
John 12, v….22 "unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
Audrey Mitchell
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