Happy Easter!

We’re now heading towards one of the busiest periods of the year for clergy.  Services over three days. All needing to be planned, sermons written, songs chosen, visuals found etc.

Rev T has spent many hours in his Study. Like most clergy families, we’ve got the next week off and will be at spending a few days at the in-laws.  For a rest.  And free babysitting. 

I was trying to think of something to write about Easter, but stumbled across this in an old Metro and figured as Father David Delargy made a much better job of it than I’d manage, I’ll leave it to him and just share.  

Father David is a member of a singing group called The Priests.  (I have never heard them perform but suspect that they sound like Westlife in cassocks. Rather than Ted and Dougal performing ‘My Lovely Horse”).  So, over to Father David:

Do you literally believe in the Easter story?

Without a doubt. The earliest Christian and Roman writings attest to the historical Jesus and his death. His Resurrection was attested to by those closest to him, who devoted the rest of their lives to it. I can’t see they would have given their lives if it was just a spiritual, rather than a literal Resurrection. Christianity would be emptied of its richness if Jesus had not risen – it is a divine endorsement. I know to modern ears that can sound naive or plain barmy. I do question it – it is not a blind acceptance. When I went to Rome to study, my faith was seriously challenged. They deconstruct your faith to put it back on proper foundations. 

Why hasn’t Jesus come back to put all these doubts to rest?

I prefer to leave that answer for Him. 

What is the Easter message – apart from chocolate?

It’s remembering the death – not just the Resurrection. It’s about Jesus giving us an example of love and service to others. You lay down your life for your friends. It’s the ultimate sign of hope in our trials in life: life triumphs over death. There is an eternity and a heaven.

Happy Easter everyone!