St. John’s news

Easter 2004

Dear Friends,

As we read the events of Holy Week we see the dark side of human nature. Nothing could underscore this more clearly then in these past few days, when we are shocked by the terrible events of the train bombing in Madrid, the increased killings in the Gaza Strip in Palestine, and all the consequences of hatred and injustices in the world.

All this as part and parcel of sin and the consequences of evil, is made the more explicit in Mel Gibson’s new film “The Passion of the Christ”. Viewers experience every treachery; every lie; every bitter spite, spit and hate; every blow of the lash; every nail. Mel Gibson’s justification for so graphically portraying the passion is “not to exaggerate the violence”, but to bring home to the viewer what Christ was doing and why. Christ is mocked, scourged, nailed to the cross to die, and in the silence of the tomb all is darkness again. We (they, everyone,) in our individual and collective stupidity and sin, contribute to put out the light.

The whole of the Bible story, however, is of the God who cannot, and does not, just let humanity tear itself apart. In Christ, the light of God, is the story of “love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” The divine love, as manifested in Christ, and revealed on the cross and in the empty tomb, the divine spirit of God in Christ, is what makes sense of the cross. It is this dynamic contrast between the darkness of evil such as experienced at Golgotha and the Victorious Christ, the Risen Glorified Lord, that makes sense of existence itself.

Another quote that struck me regarding the Gibson film was a comment by the leading actor who plays Christ. When he was being admired for his superb acting he said passionately, “No that’s not it, not it at all, I don’t want people to see me, all I want them to see is Christ.”

We see the risen Christ, his empty cross right there in the middle of our human situation. We see Christ at Christmas, Emmanuel, God with us. We see Christ in the waters of the Jordan, and hear the voice of God, “This is my son, listen to him.” We see Christ, and listen to his words of eternal life. We see Christ by the shore teaching from the boat, we see and listen, for Christ is our teacher. We watch as Peter answers Christ’s invitation to follow him, and we try to see what those words really mean to us to be his disciple. We step back involuntarily as Christ is confronted by the demon possessed, and then we know God’s power in compassion to save us from the powers of darkness. We are with Christ as he lays his hand on the sick, lonely, bereaved, and he is with us in our prayers for all those in need, for Christ is our healer. We too are there in that boat in the storm; we cry out to him all our fears and insecurities, for Christ is our strength and our peace. Beneath the cross we stand with Mary and John, seeing Christ with his arms outstretched, and hear him call to God “ Father forgive them”, and we understand, although it seems past our understanding, that the great divine heart loves everyone, even those we consider in the deepest darkness. We see in the Christ, the divine longing to breathe tranformative loving spirit into even the most deformed aspect of the human condition. Be it on Golgotha heights, the rails of Madrid, the crowded narrow ways of every city and every place. It is indeed “ love so amazing so divine.”

We see the Christ by lake Tiberias, in front of the living flames as he blesses and gives thanks to the Father, breaks and gives. This is the Risen Lord who comes to us, at our every eucharist table, every where and any where in life, feeding us with the bread of new life in the fire of the divine love. We see Christ who, “demands my soul, my life, my all,” and we pray that others may not always see me in all my faults, but in some wonderful way see “through” me to Christ.

Alleluia, alleluia, Christ is risen, the one true light, that enlightens the world, even this world!

A truly blessed Easter, and Pentecost to everyone

Home News

Our church is alive with much growth and many activities, here are just a very few encouraging signs:

Young people! It is really good to see some youngsters in the church most Sundays. Anne meets with them in the vestry where they seem to have a wonderful time. We believe there is potential for future growth, please pray for this.

Group meetings, we now have monthly group meeting which is just now studying Tom Wright’s excellent Bible study video “Jesus the New Way”

Sunday lunches Since November the third Sunday of each month sees a Sunday lunch at Ben and Anne’s. 30 to 40 people have enjoyed themselves each time, and the ladies especially enjoyed the men washing up after the Mothering Sunday lunch. The ladies also each received a rose at the end of the service, distributed by the children.

Art group. A group of enthusiastic painters meets each Thursday, when you are here why not come and join them.

Web site. This has even more information available, if you have internet don’t forget to check out www.sjevar.com to keep up with what is going on.

Future events

Paella Lunch under the trees at Margery’s house. Note the date 17^th June. In aid of charity.

Curry party. Make sure that you keep some tummy space for the curry party at the Mary and Chris Cribb’s in July.

Port Grimaud Services start again on Easter Day 17.00 and thereafter on the first Sunday of each month.

Lorques services the last Sunday of the month 17.00 at the Maisons des Pères, Rue St Honarat

We are saddened to hear of the death of Erica Chambers. She was a much-loved member of St. John’s and we shall certainly miss her.