Jesus is Risen - Easter Reflection with Noirin Lynch - 4 April 2021 (S11E20b) (SS102fm programme excerpt)

Jesus is Risen - Noirin LynchResurrection then, what is it?Is it a denial of reality, a promise of no suffering - NoIs it an optimism, an insistence on looking on the bright side - NoResurrection – Easter – is a protest against despair.It is a realistic, looking life straight in the face, acknowledgement that some things are more important than death. Some things are more important than despair. Some things are more powerful than realism and fatalism and pandemics and nostalgia. The women who arrived at that tomb were not thrilled, happy, laughing or anything like it. Scripture says they were alarmed.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.They went in and found a messenger who did not assuage that alarm. He told them what had happened and it left them trembling and bewildered. Silenced even, afraid to speak of the impossible to others cause they could not make sense of it themselves I find that hugely comforting this year. I would love to be thrilled and excited about Easter but a part of me is just tired. Pandemics will do that to you. I am optimistic, but also a little scared of getting too excited in case there is a set back. I am happy but afraid it might rain. Lol. I am human. I find it hugely encouraging this year that our Gospel speaks of a dutiful group of women, who stayed faithful, who were bewildered and blestFrom these women, the church began. From this honest reaction, Jesus the Christ became known to us all. From humanity not perfection, we go on out into Galilee Sometimes we dance through the rituals of Holy Week – busy in preparations and lists. This year we are forced into being present without the dance of busyness.We are forced into Easter not in our Sunday best but in tracksuits and with trembling.  Easter is not about how well prepared and put together we are -          Things are broken here and yet there is grace enough for everyoneEaster is not about surety and freedom from suffering-          Some part of us dies each year as we come to know Gods love, it hurts but it heals tooEaster IS bewildering. If its not, we have underestimated its importance. -          Christ has broken a prison that held us all captured, the idea that death was the last and final thing we could not overcome. Pandemic is not the last word.  Life is not ended but changed.  Hope winsEaster is a protest against despairLet us know from now on that we are not defined by the worst of times, the loneliest of moments, the bewilderment. All of this was present at Resurrection and God transformed and blessed it. And God blessed you and I just as we are now. God is. God livesGod carries us on into Galilee. AlleluiaText us at +353 874668950 or email at [email protected]