I hope you have all enjoyed the Easter break. 

Francis the Donkey joined us at Kingston House and guided us back to Christ Church.  We were fortunate that it stayed dry for our walk which included about forty people.  Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week and the following week was as intense as it always seems to be in the church.  During Holy Week many Christians try to put themselves into Jesus place so that they can have some idea of what he endured for them.  It is so easy to sanitise the events of Holy Week.  However, much of what happened then goes on today in our daily lives too but not usually with the same physical consequences. 

The consequences of vindictiveness and gossip are often emotional, a lowering of self-esteem, depression, instability – mainly for the victim.

Why do people think the excuse for believing bad of someone is ‘there is always a grain of truth’ in what has been said.  The point I am making is that thinking the worst of people doesn’t seem to make the ‘victim’ or the ‘attacker’ feel any better.  So, why do people do it?  Why are people ready to believe bad things about somebody, even though they may know them.  Why do they not assert positive views instead?

We are reminded during Holy Week of Jesus great sacrifice that rather than fight a losing battle of words, he said nothing – and went to the cross allowing those who felt they had more to gain by persecuting him and destroying his reputation to have their way – rather than have his words further manipulated against him.

Easter Day comes, the evil against Jesus is overwhelmed by God’s love.  Jesus forgives his enemies and those that failed to voice their support for him.  He moves on to a new beginning, he gives those who murdered him a new beginning, a second chance.

This is how it should be between countries, families, friends, organisations that compete with one another for whatever reason – jealousy, envy, pride and so on.

This Easter, if you are judging someone badly perhaps you could ask yourself if their context is the same as yours and ask yourself ‘why’ you have such negative thoughts about them.  Perhaps you have never even met them?!

May the new life of Easter bring us all a fresh start and belief that we are working together for the greater good! 
Ann