Bishop Mary's Easter Message 2025
TRANSCRIPT:
All over the world the Easter story’s celebrated by Christians and others who may or may not treasure faith or belief. There’s a universality to its message. The Easter drama tells of suffering and grief transformed by new life. This speaks powerfully in a world wrestling with trauma and anxiety, offering an unimagined, life-giving hope.
The Easter stories show the impact of resurrection. I love the Gospel stories about Mary Magdalene. In her grief she goes to the garden where Jesus’ body was taken after he died. Gardens are places of encounter with God in the Bible. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that many find renewal, restoration and a sense of purpose in creation and growing spaces.
Mary meets angels who notice her distress and tell her that Jesus has risen from the dead. In the Bible angels are mysterious messengers who mostly appear to help people. In our own lives perhaps sometimes, we encounter others who are somehow present in times of need. Maybe there are also occasions when we might be like angels to others.
Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus, but at first, she doesn’t recognise him. Somehow, he either seems different, or possibly her grief prevents her from seeing that it’s him. There’s almost a playfulness here, when Mary mistakes Jesus for the gardener, because for Christians Jesus shows us God our creator, who gave us life and who helps us grow and flourish.
The moment of recognition for Mary, when she realises that Jesus is risen, comes when he calls her by name. It’s in being seen and known that Mary’s able to move from grief to hope. Perhaps the Easter story offers us a possibility to become part of this. If we’ve ever felt more alive when we‘re loved, cared for, or known by others, this might encourage us to reach out to others.
That’s what Jesus tells Mary (and perhaps tells us) to do; or hope touches our hearts, to go and tell others about the power of a love that cannot be quashed.
Mary tells the joyful news of enduring, life-changing, unquenchable love. A story for everyone of a love that’s always present and which has amazing power to bring life, hope and joy.
Pasg Hapus. Happy Easter.