Alleluia

The journey of Holy Week this year still brought out the familiar, powerful emotions it usually does -even if the turmoil of life at the moment blunted, confused and jumbled them slightly. From the joy of Palm Sunday, through to the profound rollercoaster of emotions flowing from the events of Maundy Thursday, on to the devastating sadness of Good Friday, and the shocked desolation of Holy Saturday. Yesterday, there was an outbreaking of joy. Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Easter Sunday is, however, both a climax and a beginning.
Easter is not a day, it is a season...the celebrations began yesterday, but continue for 50 days.

This is fortunate... Strong emotions need to be able to be released; neither keeping the grief of Good Friday or utter joy of Easter Day is possible forever.

However we felt yesterday - ecstatically joyful, still stuck somewhere around Good Friday or Holy Saturday, or somewhere in between - the great hope of the Resurrection can carry us through the whole season, supporting us in our journey.




Perhaps as a prayer activity today, you might like to make flatbreads?
As well as creating something wonderful from what seems like so little, there's other symbolism too:

Despite the lack of yeast there is still hope - they still puff up. There's a recipe here, if you'd like one.

Or, if you like rosemary and have some available that could be an ideal addition (though might prevent some of the 'puffing up' of the first recipe).
Rosemary is traditionally associated with death and remembrance - breaking it up into small pieces to add onto the flatbread perhaps could be a symbol for you of Jesus' victory over death.
Rosemary is also often used to sprinkle holy water when renewing baptism promises (see the photos from the service yesterday!) - a reminder, then, of us dying to sin and rising to new life with the risen Christ!
There's a recipe here for rosemary flatbreads.



♫ Today's suggestion is a different style to most of what's come before: Alive - Natalie Grant