Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations.

Matthew 28:19

Contact us: email: post: S.E.N.T., Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9BX. tel:01277 215011 fax:01277 234401

Easter 2007

Dear Friends and Benefactors,

Who Rolled Away the Stone?

The rather inert-looking boulder which sits slightly ajar from the entrance to the dark tomb looks convincing enough to the idle viewer. However, closer inspection of the Easter garden, laid out before the altar in St Joseph’s, Salford, reveals that appearances can be deceptive. The boulder is constructed from paper mache, and would hardly have required the timely intervention of a couple of hefty angels to roll away a final obstacle to belief in the Risen Lord.

However, obstacles, whether real or imagined, have the same effect on us, in that they dampen down our enthusiasm, weaken our resolve, and prevent us from taking that final step towards living in the victory of a resurrection faith. The assisting angels in the drama of the Easter garden remind us that faith is a supernatural gift of grace which is not a product of sweat, toil and human endeavour. The rolling away of the stone signifies that the ‘work’ of bringing others to faith is essentially a Divine Initiative before it can be regarded as a divine imperative.

In so many aspects of the Christian life appearances can be at least ambiguous in that we are so adept at ascribing to the work of grace attitudes and behaviours that are yet to be converted and transformed. A passive attitude, growing essentially from a root of apathy and non-responsibility, seems, on the face of it, to be nearer to a serene attitude of trusting in God than a grace-filled real concern for others which can bring anxiety into our lives. A stubborn perseverance to a religious practice, which is not necessarily the fruit of being open to the ever-challenging promptings of the Holy Spirit, can be passed off as faithfulness and loyalty. And how easily a faint-hearted timidity, which doesn’t reflect the boldness of the Spirit of God, can be rationalised as a caring sensitivity to others!

In our own spiritual development we have to be ruthless in discerning which are the real obstacles and openings to the Spirit in our lives; the Lord will send his angels to remove the boulders we can’t budge with our own strength. However, can we expect the divine messengers to come to our aid when we allow paper mache excuses to prevent us from entering into the darkness of the tomb to encounter the Risen Christ?

In these Easter days, when the fledgling Church began to wake up to the joy and responsibility of faith, we reflect on how those first Christians came to realise the radical impossibility of responding to their calling. They needed an ongoing power of God in their lives and community which would be infinitely more powerful than a mere ‘memory’ of their Lord. We too pray that our resurrection faith my lead us on to Pentecost from where we are able to move out into the world.

The basket of envelopes before our altar in SENT reminds us to pray for you in your needs as you support us with your finance and prayers. And just to mention that you are very welcome to share any thoughts and comments through our newly established ‘Online Forum’

Yours in Christ
Fr Gerard Kelly