Writing to the diocese as part of his Easter message for 2022, Bishop Mark reflects on the resurrection of Jesus and the hope that it grants us.
What does resurrection look like?
Although we have lots of indications and hints laid out for us in the Bible, the truth is that we don't fully know. If that is true for us, how much more true would it have been for Mary and Martha when Jesus told them he was the resurrection? They were grieving, confused, and looking for comfort, and at first sight Jesus is simply cryptic.
In reality though, He is anything but cryptic. It is not for us to know in detail what resurrection looks like, but it is essential that we realise it is entirely rooted, held, and found in Christ. There is Easter hope in our Lord not because He grants wishes like a divine fairy godmother, but rather because he has broken into our broken world and recreates from Golgotha upwards. This gospel hope resounds even over the echoes of war and the weeping of pandemic. It accompanies the refugee, pursues the migrant, clothes the homeless, and welcomes the addict to freedom. For now, we see and know only in part, but in the resurrection we shall see clearly.
Happy Easter to you, and may this resurrection hope, joy, and peace be yours in abundance...
for Christ is truly risen.+Mark