Sunday a place of resurrection;

 

We return to the earlier thought of how Celtic Christians had a rhythm of the week whereby each weekday they concentrated their thinking on one aspect of faith. As we look forward to Sunday tomorrow,  with them we anticipate the the day of resurrection. But what did they specifically mean by a “place of resurrection?” On a   pilgrimage, we are encouraged to leave behind our usual ways, our comforts, as we step into the unknown. Resurrection is about the trust we have that our steps will be led by the ever-unfolding presence of guidance in our lives – that which brings us hope, healing, renewal, liberation, transformation, rebirth. 

The old Celtic Church spoke of the purpose of peregrination as “finding the place of one’s resurrection.”  To find the place of one’s resurrection involved a willingness to be led into what one does not already know, repentance and restoration, dying to whatever was familiar, and finding new life.   The place of resurrection was one in which absolute assurance in God would become the new normal; this certitude would become the ordinary time in which these pilgrims now lived.  

It is a way of life that lives out the words of Jesus when he said to Mary, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world."

The early Celtic Christian’s held the resurrection as a keystone of Faith. For us too, faith in the resurrection helps us to live with an attitude of hope, sharing in the joy of the victory of the risen Christ over sin and death. It is because of the resurrection that Christ is with me on all of my journeys through life. Can I recognise his presence and open my heart to encounter him more fully?

We follow our hearts to best discern where we can serve, and how we can bring the spirit of resurrection to others.

Prayer

Father of mercy, your love embraces everyone and through the resurrection of your son you call us all into you wonderful light.  Dispel our darkness and make us people of one heart and one voice, forever singing your praise in Jesus, the Christ our Lord. Amen