Forgiveness, peace and solidarity

By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe” (John 20: 19–20).

Two memories of Easter stay with me. The first is attending Palm Sunday rallies where the call for fair and compassionate treatment of refugees is amplified. The rallies will once again occur across Australia on Sunday. The Right Reverend Dr Mark Short, Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, will be one of the speakers at the Canberra rally in Civic Square at 1.00 pm.

The second memory is a Good Friday service I attended where the congregation was invited to respond creatively as part of the liturgy. A boy of about 12 made a figure of Jesus on the cross with plasticine and held it up throughout the service. This moment captured the vulnerability of Jesus in his suffering and death, and revealed to me afresh the divine solidarity with all creation that Jesus’ death embodies.

At Easter, something beyond our human understanding is revealed. We see a God who vindicates the powerless and the oppressed. A God who says death and death-dealing ways do not have the final say. A God who chooses restoration over vengeance. A God who offers peace and forgiveness and a new way of relating to God and to each other. A God who says, “Peace be with you!”

Wednesday's Easter service enabled staff and students to collectively participate in the mystery of Easter through drama, dance and song. Thank you to all who gave their time and talents to making the service so meaningful and uplifting.

In a previous Bulletin article, I shared the Lenten Prayer by Aboriginal Elder, Nyoongah woman, theologian and teacher, Aunty Betty Pike. This week, I share Easter Reflection as a blessing to you and your family for the Easter season. May this time be filled with moments to pause and reflect as well as have fun and celebrate.

The heavens and its myriad stars
Shine clear,
The quiet stillness of the night
So peaceful.
Then as the shadows and the moon recede
Slowly the light begins to dawn,
But still we see you
Only through a misty sheen.
Silently the power of the Great Creator
Breaks through the dreaming of the night
And with a flash of mysterious gold
Your Son burst forth as if on fire,
Bursting with a strong passionate love
For the beauty of all creation.
Let us awake and arise with the Son
And walk hand in hand
Bathed in this ever new, wondrous, glorious,
Easter light.

Published in The Power of Story: Spirit of the Dreaming

Easter services in local Anglican churches

Sharing hope this Easter

To see the world through others' eyes is to live and work for a just and compassionate future as the appeals below are seeking to do. Thank you for your generous support.

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