So that's it, the chocolate eggs are finished (nearly), the palm crosses are on the side on the kitchen (just in my house then...) and the Easter hymns are done for another year. Well - you know I'm only trying to be provocative, not only is it still Easter season, but we celebrate the resurrection every Sunday of the year - if not each day!
Easter season lasts for 40 days to mark the time that Jesus was seen on earth after he rose from the dead. I love the stories of peoples' encounters with Jesus during that time: from Mary at the empty tomb to doubting Thomas (I'm on Thomas' side on that one - a bit of evidence always helps me!), the road to Emmaus and the barbecue on the beach which we'll look at this Sunday with Nick. There's the promise of restoration, new starts and new life - not just for Peter but for all of us too.
We see the promise of new life all around us in spring. The bluebells above are in Parnholt Woods near Farley Mount (a bit of an uphill ride on the tandem!) - they're an extraordinary sight! Martin Luther, the 16th century protestant reformer, said this: 'Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.' I'm sure that will resonate with many of us as we enjoy the buds and blossoms of spring - what a great reminder of the extraordinary, life-changing truth of Easter!
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