Journeying through...

The month of April has begun in spectacular style at the Bield. The many coloured flowers in the walled garden and the planters have been swaying in the gentle breeze, raising their heads to the blue skies and sunshine, inviting us to do the same. There is no more beautiful place than the Bield estate in dazzling spring sunshine! We relax into and enjoy it, opening to it soothing our souls and nurturing our spirits.

But while there has been no shortage of sunshine here at the Bield, there is no shortage of bad news in our world. The horrendous earthquake in Myanmar leaving so many dead in a country already reeling from war enacted by a military dictatorship has been shocking to witness. The world’s economy is in a precarious state leaving many people profoundly worried. And our planet is struggling with global warming and climate injustice. Where is hope in the face of such death and destruction?

Perhaps this is a question Jesus asked himself as he journeyed execrably toward the cross. He didn’t answer any questions about human suffering, but rather he journeyed through it, and has promised to be with us as we journey through it too. Ultimately his suffering brought forth new life, and that is our hope too, that somehow, despite all that is happening to us and around us, goodness will be stronger than evil, and life stronger than death.

So, as we enter Holy Week, maybe all we can do is join Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and get down on our knees and pray:

“Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray”

The Taize community has a beautiful song based on these words. Perhaps this Holy Week you might be able to find it and listen to it, allowing this simple prayer to bring you hope and comfort.

And, because we sit at the other side of the cross, we know that at the end of Holy Week, after the death and dying, Jesus rose to new life. So when Easter

comes, let we join our hearts in proclaiming:

Christ has risen,

He has risen indeed!

Alleluia! Amen.

Happy Easter to all you from all of us at the Bield!