2nd Sunday of Easter St Andrew’s Milngavie 2025
Today we continued to celebrate the festival of Easter.
Attached is the Newsletter for May, kindly brought to us by Helen and Robin.
The consecration of our new Bishop, The Reverend Canon Dr Nick Bundock, will take place on Saturday 3rd May 4pm at St Mary’s Cathedral.
The service is by ticket only but can be viewed online. Details are available on the diocesan website. www.glasgow.anglican.org
This Week
Monday 11.15 – Dorcas Craft Group in Hall
Tuesday 10am – Prayer Group in the Garden Room
Thursday 10am – Said Holy Communion followed by coffee in Friendship House.
Saturday 4pm – Consecration of Bishop Elect, Nick Bundock
Readings for next Sunday – Third Sunday of Easter – Acts 9:1-6 Revelation 5:11-end John 21:1-19
Today’s readings – Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-end
There has been a huge outpouring of grief at the death of Pope Francis. During the week thousands queued up outside the Basilica for hours and through the night to pay their respects to the late Pope who had clearly won the hearts of so many.
In the press there have been many reports of significant increases in church attendance over Easter. This is obviously hugely encouraging and a cause for celebration. But there has been equal speculation as to why this is happening. I would suggest there are several reasons, but many believe it’s a sign of the times.
As we know the world faces many challenges both at home and globally putting fear and uncertainty in the hearts of many.
So, imagine Jesus walking onto the world-wide stage today with the words to us “Peace be with you”
The same words that he said to those first apostles who we heard about in the gospel this morning. They also were consumed with fear and uncertainty. All of them and not just the apostles. The High Priest and the Sadducees are afraid of what will happen to them especially in the light of the increasing popularity of the Apostles. After the crucifixion, the disciples too had been afraid – they were afraid of what their opponents might do to them and now they were afraid that there might be some truth in the story that Jesus was indeed raised from the dead. What would be the implications of that for them? were they to continue in their grief? If Jesus were to come and find them, what would he have to say about the way in which they had deserted him at the end?
They are all afraid.
And it was the same at the beginning of the gospel. The angel had told Zechariah “Do not be afraid” Luke 1:13
The angel Gabriel told Mary “Do not be afraid” Luke 1:30
The angel said the same thing to the shepherds out with their flocks. Luke 2:10
Jesus said the same thing to Simon Peter when he was first called from being a fisherman Luke 5:10
When Jesus walks on the water to the disciples in the boat he again tells them not to be afraid. Mark 6:50
When Peter denied Jesus three times – he was afraid. Luke 22:62
The result of fear is often to shut oneself away. The disciples certainly did this – hiding in the upper room. But it wasn’t surprising the disciples were afraid for themselves. They had seen what the wrath and fear of the high priest could do. The master they so loved, who spoke with authority, who raised others from the dead and seemed himself so indestructible. What hope for them if he could not defend himself?
And so, they gathered in fear and confusion behind closed doors. It was only when Jesus greeted them and showed them his wounds did they really rejoice and begin to understand.
Christ’s first words to them were “Peace be with you” We can only imagine the effect those four words must have had. The fear, doubt, uncertainty and the emotion of the last few days all coming to a head and then calmly put at ease by the transforming wonder of these words.
But one disciple wasn’t there – Thomas wasn’t there. He was alone in his grief, doubt and disbelief – refusing to take their words as truth. But it is Thomas whose doubt has spoken for so many of us of the centuries “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe”
So, with obvious love Christ offers Thomas the proof he needs. He offers him the evidence of his wounds – the certainty of his physical presence. Then speaking into the future Christ’s words are to each one of us with our doubts and questionings. We can almost hear the appeal in his voice – the longing to be real to all of us.
“Blessed are those who have not seen And yet have come to believe”
Beautiful words for US – his church and his people. And so, he breathed on them. The same word is used when God breathed life into Adam. Christ breathed life into his fledging church which now certain in his resurrection was ready to carry his peace into the world outside that room. They allowed the peace of Christ to overcome their fears. They allowed Christ to breathe life into them and into their ministries.
In the same way, we can overcome our fear in the peace of Christ – this mysterious love and peace – a peace which he offers freely to all who believe in him.
And to all who have yet to believe.