Easter Sunday 2025

We read off the women going to the tomb early on the first day of the week.  This would be early, around 4 am when the sun begins to rise.  At the tomb they are somewhat surprised to find the large stone rolled away, the strips of linen covering the body lying there, and the cloth across his head lying folded to the side.  Possibly it was the thought of a man folding the cloth that surprised them most?  One, possibly two angels then appeared, dressing in robes that shone like lightning, they reassured the women and informed them Jesus is not here, he has risen!

The girls run back to tell the disciples what they have discovered though Mary Magdalene actually meets Jesus himself.  She remained while the others rushed back.  Shortly afterwards Peter and John arrive, find the tomb as was said, the cloths lying there and the body gone, and return wondering what all this meant.

Imagine the house, door locked for fear of Jewish leaders reprisals, several houses with other disciples who did not know about the tomb being empty carrying on their day, stunned at Jesus death.  Now the leading disciples were puzzled and unbelieving at what the women told them, it made no sense, people do not rise from the dead.  

Later that night Cleopas and another disciple who had walked off to Emmaus came back claiming Jesus had joined them!  Mary had seen him, these two had met him, the tomb was empty.  What was going on?

What was happening in Jerusalem at this time?

The city, stuffed full of people because of the Passover, would be returning to some sort of normality for the occasion.  Some would discuss the three crucified the other day, most others would be dealing with the needs of the hour.  The women arranging the foodstuffs for the gathered family, the children playing with their cousins and getting in the way, breaking things, and having a laugh.  The men would continue working or attend the Temple for prayer.  With so many around money was to be made and opportunities taken.  Family gathering would require responsibilities also, and the men would be meeting, discussing and possibly trading with family members at this time.  The women would also be trading, their sons for the best wives possible I suspect!  

Life would continue for many while those who had heard Jesus in Galilee and elsewhere would be stunned at the death, and that on a cross.  We know that before he departed Jesus left behind some 500 disciples, how many met him in the days after he rose?  We have no information regarding them, yet I assume he met others individually or in small groups.  Who knows?  

While the disciples we know about fretted and wondered Jerusalem and life in general continued.  I am struck by how important this event, the death of the Son of God on a cross for our sin, and his rising again as foretold in the prophets, met with indifference among so many in Jerusalem.  Another leader goes down, there will be another along in a moment.  Jerusalem carries on, unaware of their rejection of Gods Messiah and the future punishment soon to fall on the city.  

Are our eyes open to what all this means?  

ParcelForce 2, Postman's Easter and Women Clarity

 

A call from Mr Murdoch the butcher early this morning, which I missed as I did not hear the phone ring as I returned from Sainsburys.  Traffic noise and stupidity meant I missed the call.  However, a glance at the laptop screen revealed that Phil was driving around this area with my box.  I sort of wished it was Luke so I could drop a sarcastic comment or two in to him, however Phil, an older gent, always arrives early, so this pleased me.   

By 9:30 I was opening the white box and revealing the Lorne sausage, pies and sausage type sausages that awaited me and my freezer.  Soon we were well acquainted and planning tonight's morsels.  This did not take long.

ParcelForce have worked well, sending the right man and also offering an answer on the Twitter feed, though they waited until it had been delivered.  We know how such people work, and I know because I have been there myself.  Yesterday Luke avoided the place because he did not wish to be held up by traffic queues, which are still with us though somewhat diminished, and he got home on time.  Good for him, but leaving perishable stuff is not good!

The latest tizz is over, now to find another...

The postman also knocked today, this time with a book I bought when I foolishly fell into the online Waterstone's page.  It appears another new idea is for each book to be signed for at delivery.  More security, though I buy cheap books of course, and the postie informs me on some items a pin number is required now!  Quite how this will work if the postman has a busy round I canny see.  He has to know the number, you have to enter it to be checked, or no parcel!  

Anyway, off he went, informing me he is working Saturday and Sunday.  Sunday, that's Easter Sunday, yes, but a religious holiday no longer counts as a Bank Holiday at Royal Mail!  No doubt churchgoers would get time off but what does this say about us today?

Today, after much wrangling, the Supreme Court based in England, unanimously declared only a biological woman is a 'woman.'  Thus ensuring trans men dressed as women are men dressed as women and must be called men dressed as women.  A great victory for those women who would 'not be wheeshed' against the Scottish Government' who wish to force this nonsense onto Scotland.

What a shame that normality is finding itself lost among a sea of empty ideology and perverted thinking.  Hopefully now this law will be followed across the western world. 

The twisted ideology has taken deep root among many, we need to enquire why?  The trans mob will not accept this clear and straight forward fact, but that is too bad.  Now all governments must follow this up with clearer legislation ending this trans nonsense.

Easter Sunday 2024

Christ has risen,

He has risen indeed!  

Considering how many have taken off for the holidays we had a reasonable turnout this morning.  Several new families are appearing, all black African types, with children, which is good indeed.  We need young folks arriving, so many are not as young as they are, and those who were once young are now adolescent and have run off to find themselves.

A visiting retired speaker, whom we know and like, though he is a 'liberal' regarding theology, which is why I will not refer to his sermon as it was somewhat 'loose.'  At times I wondered what he really believes.  The Anglican church in England is indeed a strange place.  

Whoever decided to lose an hours sleep on Easter Sunday requires to be shot in my experience.  I was half asleep all morning, and even though I snoozed once I got home, I am still weary.  Lose an hour next Sunday and it would be OK!  

The weather is grey, the people I passed did not reflect joy and gladness, though dogs heading for the park certainly did.  Traffic was slow, the holidays mean people are away, Easter means chocolate eggs fill the kids hearts, and folks are visiting family.

For the most part we were happy, the visiting vicar loud and cheery which left me exhausted, and people ran for home and a large family lunch.  

I cooked mine in the microwave...

Easter Monday

Easter Sunday was the usual gathering.  Almost all had washed and shaved, almost all wore their Sunday best, almost all were gagging for Easter chocolate!  

I deposited around 50 Cadbury's wee eggs for handout at the end, which went down very well apparently, not that I got one!  I trudged wearily down the road and trudged wearily back up again, ready for some spiritual Rangers v Celtic Scottish Cup football.  After eating what was left in the fridge I settled back to watch the game.

Now, my niece was coming to me on Monday, so having nothing in the house I was going to fill up Monday morning and prepare a suitable feast.  Imagine my panic when ten minutes into the game she emailed me to say she was half way to me (from Burnley) and would soon arrive!

Panic!  I trudged out again, unwillingly, to Sainsburys, as I got there a young man said "It's closed mate," as he passed.  So it was, as was Tesco!  I remain convinced these shops are always open at Easter, maybe I got this wrong, I never checked this year.  No other shop is within my walking distance, my knees would go no further, so I contacted them and they found some foodstuffs at the nearby petrol station when filling up.  

So, once the car was parked, the kid carried upstairs, and me also, we ate what we could and spent the rest of the day sharing the seven month old from one to another.  The boy was at his most contented when chewing a box that once held coffee sachets.  The expensive goods lying around were not as good.  

It is of course no surprise he took to me, his favourite Great Uncle, didn't they all when young?  There again, after a few minutes getting his bearings when he arrived I think he would take to anyone.  

The three of them have been travelling around the country visiting the family and friends unseen for years.  This child has travelled further in 13 days than I have in three years!  He has been manhandled in Aberdeen, York and Edinburgh, plus elswhere.  Passed from one to another, and often stolen back again.  I get the idea he is enjoying himself.  The parents are clever, now he has been seen by all the women their minds everywhere are contemplating what to give him at Christmas.  This will save the parents much money!  Mind you it cost them coming here.    

Even though they were only here a few hours I really enjoyed it.  It is around 20 years since we have had a wee one in the family, now we have one to spoil.  I suspect however, his clever parents will not allow this.  They are both bright, indeed I spent much of the time ensuring dad did not steal my books, (he is a Uni librarian) and she a musician.  I think this kid will be too bright for the rest of the family up north!  Throughout the day the football was on in the background, though following it was impossible.  It distracted the kid, and distracted the father from pocketing my books, I had to pat him down police style when they left.  As to the football I have little idea what happened in most games.

Bright this boy clearly is, when I carried him about telling him of my exciting life here in the wilderness of Essex he soon fell asleep.  Just as well as my arm by then was beginning to feel the weight.  

After they left, I cleaned up and found I was exhausted. 

The cleaning week was good exercise but tiring, the walking also.  I was knackered last night.  This morning there was little difference to that.  Eat yesterdays leftovers, sleep, make lentil soup, eat and soon sleep once again.  Though I did find Sainsburys open this morning to stock up I was so tired I just grabbed what was in front of me, sorry madam, and came home quick.  I ache everywhere.  

Still, all in, a good Easter Morning, a good Easter family evening, and a good cheap Chianti to keep me going today.  

 

Easter Sunday Lock Down 2020