An Easter Message from the Bishop of Dudley and Acting Bishop of Worcester, Martin Gorick
A few years ago, I went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was my first time in Galilee and Jerusalem, and I shall never forget it. Visiting holy sites, seeing the mountains that Jesus knew. Praying with Palestinian Christians and staying with Christians from around the world.
And on the Sunday, very early in the morning, I went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Priests were chanting in Aramaic, the ancient language of Jesus. I was longing to go into the sepulchre itself, a tiny chapel built over the site where Jesus had been buried after his death on the cross. Even at that time I had to queue, and it was touch and go whether I would get in at all with services about to start.
But then it was my turn, and I stooped to go inside, through the tiny entrance door. Just as the Mary Magdalene and the others had done that first Easter Day. I had a few seconds only, to take in the stone slab, and the icons and flickering candles inside. And then I heard the words sound clearly in my mind, ‘He is not here. He is Risen!’
Risen to reign as Lord and King. Risen to go before those first disciples to Galilee. Risen to go before us into every situation.
Happy Easter! Jesus Christ is Risen today. Alleluia!
