30 April 2026

On Easter Day, the physical body of Jesus had gone from the tomb. ‘He is not here! He has been raised!’ proclaimed the angels. When the women met the risen Christ they ‘took hold of his feet’.  They were clinging on to the physical.

Jesus had other ideas. He told them to go and tell the disciples that  they would see him in Galilee. In any bereavement, we have to let go of the physical. The imperative is to ‘Go!’ – leave the tomb, travel on, make disciples of all nations, baptising …

Our true life is not made up of physical things – a house, a church, a painting, a bookcase, a car, a bag of golf clubs. Our true life is made up of spiritual things, the things  which lift us out of ourselves and into the presence of God. Consider these three.

Firstly, letting go of self and living for others. This takes us right into the heart of the Gospel. ‘Forget self, take up your cross and follow me.’  This liberates us from concerning thoughts about the things which root us to the earth.

Secondly, discovering that nothing which happens to us can separate us from the love of God. This is evidently true within the spiritual realm. It’s an insight which belongs to St. Paul. Some of the things which happen to us are completely outside  our control but God’s love is always evident despite what’s happening.

Thirdly, realising that we have here no abiding city. It is made of wood and stone and all sorts of perishable things which do not last. We are not clinging on to these things. We are journeying on because we are looking for the city which is to come.