This is one of the holiest days of the annual Christan calender but it does not play a big part in the life of the church where I now minister. We had a service last Sunday when we considered the triumphal entry and palms and all that and tomorrow on Friday a few of the folk will join with other Churches in a procession around the town ending up at our church where we will have a short closing service before sausage rolls and cups of tea. But tonight there is nothing and after the walk of witness also there is nothing until Sunday morning. They seem like big empty spaces for a Holiday weekend. Should I be glad that I can catch up on my gardening or many of the other jobs I have to do.
Perhaps I should be glad of the break. I know the stories of some clergy who wear themselves out with umpteen services for the whole week and by the time they get to resurrection they feel like death warmed up!
Perhaps though for those first disciples their Easter experience was one of confusion and grief and emptiness. They went back to get on with the DIY at home to take their minds off the terrible way things had turned out.Each gospel has a different slant on the story and we are often too ready to conflate the individual accounts to make assumptions and meet our preconceived expectations.
Even on Easter Sunday according to John's account the first Easter experience is somewhat lacklustre, especially in the lives of those first on the scene. The story involves three people Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the beloved disciple. They are the first to the tomb that Sunday morning. John doesn’t tell us why Mary comes. Maybe she is there to grieve? Maybe she comes to remember and give thanks for the life of this rabbi who had changed her life forever. Maybe Mary comes because she needs some time alone to think but John doesn’t tell us.
As Mary arrives she sees that the stone is rolled back from the entrance of the tomb. Immediately she leaves without further investigation. Mary tells Peter and the beloved disciple. They then run to the tomb, with the beloved disciple getting there first. Peter looks in and sees the place where Jesus had been, and nothing is there. The beloved disciple looks at the same scene, and the Scripture tells us he believes. Then, they go home.
Mary is encouraged by the other two and wants to take a look for herself. She too sees the place, only now there are two angels, one sitting at the foot of where Jesus had been and the other at the head. “Who are you looking for?” asks one of the angels. Mary begs him to tell her where they have taken Jesus’ body. As she turns around she sees Jesus but does not recognise him. She supposes he is the gardener and asks him if he knows where they have taken the body. If he will tell her she will go and get the body. Jesus then calls her by name, and immediately she recognises him. Jesus then instructs her not to touch him and to go and tell his followers, which she does.
What a strange and mysterious story. Lots of things that you want to be there aren't. Everyone saw something different, even in the one gospel account. The whole Easter story is a mystery central to faith but a mystery none the less. Perhaps that is why I have these gaps in my schedule - I can meditate on the holy mysteries as I do the gardening!
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