Revd Sara’s Reflection Sunday 14th April 2024 Happy Easter !
Bible Reading: Luke 24:36 - 48
Please do not necessarily try to answer all these questions now, read them through, and reflect on anything that speaks to you.
What does "peace" mean to you, and how does Jesus' greeting of "Peace to you" challenge your understanding of peace in today's world?
How can you embody Jesus' message of peace as an agent of reconciliation in the place that you call home and in the wider world, particularly in the face of division and conflict?
In what ways can the church or community that you are connected to work towards justice and liberation for the marginalised and oppressed, following the example of Jesus' ministry? How are we already doing that? Is there something different or more you could be doing, or could stop doing?
Reflecting on the concept of peace as transformation, how can you allow Jesus' message of peace to transform your hearts, minds, and actions, and how can we be agents of transformation in our communities?
These are big questions, take your time with them, think them over, make some notes, talk to a friend. Perhaps some of these thoughts might help you as you continue to reflect.
In the Luke passage, you can read that Jesus' disciples were filled with fear and doubt, grappling with the reality of his resurrection. Did they believe? Did some of them, and not others? Were they fearful that they might have got themselves caught up in something rather bigger than they had realised?
Perhaps they also had mixed reactions to the recognition of how radical this Jesus message was… If the rumours were true, that Jesus really was coming back from the dead (or already had), then this might well be the revolution, it might just change everything… surely a time of great uncertainty, conflict and pain was ahead, even if it was to bring about the change they wanted… Maybe some of them were energised by this, but most – we can see – were full of fear and doubt.
Finally, Jesus' greeting of "Peace to you" signifies more than a mere wish for tranquillity. It is a proclamation of transformation - a transformation of hearts, minds, and communities. As you seek to embrace Jesus' message of peace, each of us is called to be transformed and to be agents of transformation in the world around us.
As you reflect on Jesus' words, "Peace to you," may you be challenged and inspired to embody radical peace in your life and in our world.
May the peace of Christ be with you. love and prayers Revd Sara
