ARCHBISHOP MALCOLM'S EASTER MESSAGE
The events of the first Easter morning began quietly, in stark contrast to the violence and baying crowds which accompanied the crucifixion on Good Friday. Mary Magdalen went to the tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week while it was still dark, while it was quiet with no people around, and none of the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem, the busy city. Things began to change when she saw that the stone had been rolled away. She ran to Simon Peter and the disciple John saying, 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid him'. The disciples ran to the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground. They believed.
Mary though was not joyful. She did not have hope, She stood outside the empty tomb weeping, asking where the body of Jesus had been taken. Yet, as she recognised the risen Jesus, her life would be transformed, moving from darkness to light, from sorrow to joy, and from despair to hope.
For over a year now we have been living under the darkness of the pandemic. Just as the light of the Risen Christ is always with us, so we have seen light in that darkness through the bravery, generosity and kindness of others. Light has been offered to us by the heroes of our NHS, by carers, and by all who have worked to keep our country going.
